The Prince of Wales demonstrated his talents to Commonwealth leaders in Uganda yesterday as he took the first steps towards establishing his credentials to succeed the Queen as head of the organisation.

He showed a common touch as he toured a teeming shantytown in Kampala while his wife carried out her own engagements.

Clarence House and Buckingham Palace deny that the couple’s charm offensive in Africa marks the beginning of a campaign to take over more of the Queen’s duties. Diplomats pointed out, however, that the 53-member Commonwealth is under no obligation to choose the British monarch as its head and have even suggested that a Mandela-like figure would be more appropriate for the modern age.

Whether he likes it or not, the Prince has a fight on his hands if he wishes to follow his mother as head of one of the few organisations linked to the British Crown that still has serious international clout.

Like a seasoned campaigner he laughed off a potentially embarrassing situation and quickly turned it to his advantage when he found himself on the receiving end of a surprise lesson on how to put on a condom. His teacher was Divina Aluka, a cheerful, unabashed nurse who heads the family planning section of a health centre.

“He was very interested in our work and how we educate men to wear condoms,” Ms Aluka said. “I told him we have to fight ignorance by demonstrating how to use them. He asked ‘how on earth do you demonstrate that?’ So I showed him.” Ms Aluka said she pulled out a wooden “penile model” from under her desk and brandished it in front of a startled Prince. “He got the idea very quickly.”

The Prince, who is in Uganda for the Commonwealth summit, then used the encounter to discuss the importance of birth control and the need for smaller families in Africa.

He also met two former prostitutes at the centre, which provides job training for sex workers seeking a new occupation. Jane Nabunya, 25, declared afterwards: “He is a nice man. He treated us with more respect than many people do.” Her friend, Hamida Nambajiiwe, 25, agreed. “I thought immediately ‘this is a good man’.”

The Prince was greeted by enormous crowds as he toured the Kawempe shantytown, home to about 300,000 people, most of whom live in abject poverty and where at least one in ten is HIV positive.

At one point he suddenly ducked into a lean-to store to find out how much he would have to pay for a bag of rice and millet — much to the delight of the owner, Maureen Kanjeyo, who said she would rename the shop “The Royal Store”.

While the Prince was out shopping, his wife visited a dance troupe and attended a luncheon given by Sarah Brown, the Prime Minister’s wife. To onlookers’ surprise, Mrs Brown greeted her royal guest with curtsey, a gesture pointedly ignored by her predecessor, Cherie Blair.

The Prince, who was invited to Uganda by President Museveni, hopes that enthusiastic welcomes such as the one received yesterday, will win over any doubters to his claim to succeed his mother as the head of the Commonwealth.

George VI became head of the organisation in 1949 in return for granting India independence. The Queen succeeded him in 1952, but the role is not enshrined in law. Only 16 of the 53 Commonwealth nations now retain her as head of state. Others may ditch the relationship after her death.

For now, Downing Street is staying out of what could eventually become a controversial issue. However, nothing is likely to be decided while the Queen is still alive and officials are nervous about discussing anything to do with the death of the current monarch.

If not Charles . . . who?

Nelson Mandela regal, respected and right for the job in almost every respect, but, at 89, South Africa’s elder statesman is almost certainly too old

Kofi Annan as former UN Secretary-General, the Ghanaian has an established profile as a global figurehead

Muhammad Yunis Bangladeshi winner of the 2006 Nobel Peace prize has helped millions to escape poverty with his system of miro-credit

Tony Blair respected in some quarters of the world and his stock may rise in others if his role as Middle East special envoy bears fruit

Aung San Suu Kyi if the Burmese junta were overthrown and Burma received into the Commonwealth, she would be hugely popular

Imran Khan the former Pakistan cricket captain is currently too political, but with a softer image could enjoy widespread appeal

Prince William depending when the post becomes available, Commonwealth leaders may look to skip a generation

A rotating presidency if elected by members, this would almost certainly begin with the President of India, the most populous member

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