The Hindu : International / Globescan : Camilla begins royal duties

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Apr 16, 2005

International

International - Globescan

Camilla begins royal duties

BALLATER (SCOTLAND): It was never going to be a baptism of fire. In the sand of a children's playpark, to the cheers of a genial crowd, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall and Rothesay and new Windsor bride, snipped a broad tartan ribbon and was initiated into a life of royal duties. The new Monaltrie playpark in Ballater, Aberdeenshire, a few km from the honeymoon retreat of Balmoral, had been identified some time ago as the perfect place for the duchess's first royal engagement after her marriage to the Prince of Wales. The couple arrived from the royal estate a little after 11a.m., the duchess looking relaxed as she emerged from the car to the skirl of bagpipes, and then moved along a small line of dignitaries. Clarence House was keen to stress that Thursday was the duchess's day, and her new husband was left to play the role of assistant, holding the ribbon taut as she wielded the scissors, setting free a scrum of schoolchildren to swarm over the facility. Fashionistas may have noted she was wearing the same tartan-trimmed suit as for her arrival at Balmoral last Saturday, and for a Sunday service at Crathie church. The Prince was in the kilt he favours whenever he crosses the border. —

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