WEST BERLIN -- Britain's Prince Charles and Princess Diana have begun their second trip together in three months, but speculation persists that their marriage may be in trouble.
The royal couple arrived in West Berlin Sunday to begin a six-day official visit to West Germany.
Diana, wearing a gold coat over a black-checked outfit, emerged from the British Airways plane behind her husband -- and neither did much thereafter to dispel worries about their marriage.
They appeared to say nothing to each other, instead walking apart as they met West Berlin Mayor Eberhard Diepgen and his wife, Monika, and then reviewed troops of the British Black Watch.
Behind a police escort, they headed to Schoeneberg City Hall, where some 2,000 Berliners, British Union Jack flags in hand, had waited for hours on a chilly, gray day for a glimpse of the controversy-surrounded royals.
Except for a brief visit to flood-stricken Wales on Oct. 21, Charles and Diana had gone separate ways for the past 12 weeks, generating speculation about possible marital woes.
The rumors were fueled yet again Saturday when Charles went with other members of the royal family -- but without Diana -- to the society wedding of an old flame, Lady Amanda Knatchbull, and property tycoon Charles Ellingworth in the southeast England town of Ashford.
Reports said Diana had elected to remain home with her children, Prince William and Prince Harry.
'Charles's date without Diana,' headlined London's Sunday Express. 'Diana absent from Charles's side at wedding,' said The Sunday Times, commenting about 'growing public concern about the state' of the marriage.
The Sunday Mirror called it 'Di's wedding snub' and said, 'Glum Charles goes solo again.'
Buckingham Palace has steadfastly refused comment on the reports and rumors, which have been circulating for months about the couple, who were married in 1981 -- and who spent their sixth wedding anniversary apart last July 29.
Even as they arrived in West Berlin, German newspapers carried front-page headlines about their trip, and lengthy reports inside about their marriage.
After taking part in ceremonies marking the 750th anniversary of Berlin, Charles and Diana were scheduled to leave for Bonn today, then travel on to Cologne, Munich and Hamburg.
