S.Africa's Zuma ends Britain trip in royal style

South African President Jacob Zuma met Britain's Prince Charles on Friday as he ended a three-day state visit clouded by criticism of his polygamy and failure to agree over Zimbabwe.

Zuma bade farewell to Queen Elizabeth II with his trademark handshake with both hands after spending two nights at Buckingham Palace with his latest wife, Thobeka Madiba Zuma.

The formal trip -- which also included two stadium visits -- began on Wednesday with pomp and colour as he was welcomed by the British monarch with a horse-drawn carriage ride down the Mall to her central London residence.

After events including a visit to the house of South African anti-apartheid figure Oliver Tambo in north London, he was honoured with a full state banquet in the evening.

But the welcome was marred by a row over British media coverage of Zuma's trip, including one newspaper which questioned: "Jacob Zuma is a sex-obsessed bigot.... So why is Britain fawning over this buffoon?"

On Friday he met Prince Charles, heir to the British throne, at his London home, Clarence House, where they were joined by Nicola Brewer, Britain's High Commissioner to South Africa.

In an echo of the rocky start to the visit, his last day was marred by a protest outside South Africa House, home to his country's High Commission in London.

Around 50 demonstrators chanted "Shame on You, Zuma," voicing anger at what they see as his failure to pressure Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe to reform.

"Zuma Save Zimbabwe," read one banner, while a man in a Mugabe mask wandered around with a sign stating "Zuma -- have another wife on me".