PRINCE CHARLES' WIFE has turned barmaid during a visit to the set of a British TV soap.

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, got behind the bar of the Rover's Return, the fictional pub on "Coronation Street."

The duchess says she is a lifelong fan of the show, set in the fictional working-class community of Weatherfield.

Camilla visited the set in Manchester, northwest England, and watched the cast film a scene from the long-running soap.

She said the show was "a wonderful British institution."

Thursday's royal visit marked the 50th anniversary year of "Coronation Street," which began in 1960.

Camilla says she would like to appear on the show. Her husband, Charles, the heir to the British throne, had a walk-on part 10 years ago.

Longtime TV matriarch dies

"Days of Our Lives" matriarch Frances Reid, who played Alice Horton on the long-running soap, died Wednesday at the age of 95.

Reid appeared last on NBC's hit show in December of 2007. She also had roles on "As the World Turns" and "The Edge of Night."

"I'm so sad to hear the news about Frances Reid," Tweeted actress Alison Sweeney, who plays Sami on Days. "She was a truly talented actress and we are all lucky and proud to have known her."

Reid played the mild-mannered matriarch of the show's Horton clan since 1965 -- a role she initially turned down.

Born in Wichita Falls, Texas, Reid was raised in Berkeley, Calif., and later moved to New York to pursue her acting career.

Her character on Days was seemingly killed off by the show's Salem Stalker in 2004, but it turned out to be a hoax and she returned later the same year.

Reid won the Daytime Emmy's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004 and was married to late actor Philip Bourneuf for 43 years. She had no children.

Shepherd's son in court

Cybill Shepherd's son has appeared in court in Philadelphia on charges he stole money and other items from fellow airline passengers.

Cyrus Shepherd-Oppenheim

is a University of Pennsylvania student from Sebastopol, Calif. Police say he stole cash, a camera and other items from carry-on luggage during a cross-country United Airlines flight last month.

A judge Thursday set an April 20 trial date on theft and related charges.

-- From Our Press Services

Today's birthdays

Actor David Selby ("Dark Shadows," "Falcon Crest"), 69; singer Cory Wells of Three Dog Night, 68; actress Jennifer Jason Leigh, 48; actress Laura Linney, 46; bassist Duff McKagan of Velvet Revolver, 46; singer Bobby Brown, 41; country singer Sara Evans, 39; actor Jeremy Sumpter ("Peter Pan"), 21.