The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Royals and their gifts

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Sunday, Jan 06, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Royals and their gifts

Include Arabian stallion, walking sticks

LONDON: What do you give a couple who seem to have everything? For Britain’s Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, the answer is jewels, carpets, an Arabian stallion — and a shopping bag.

The gifts were among 274 individual items the couple received from foreign dignitaries and members of the public on official overseas tours in the last 12 months, according to a list made public on Saturday by royal officials.

During a trip to the Gulf states in February, the Duchess of Cornwall was given a necklace, a brooch and a belt from the Kuwaiti royal family.

The Qatari royal family gave her another necklace and four bottles of perfume.

She was also presented with two black abayas — full-length Islamic robes and veils worn by Muslim women.

In Bahrain, royals there gave her a watch, bracelet and a silver box with a pearl inset while the couple was also given a jewel-encrusted ceremonial Arabic sword.

Prince Charles came away with a watch from Kuwait and a pistol from the commandant of Kuwait’s Military Staff College. An unnamed individual gave him an Arabian stallion.

He also received a Whirling Dervish hat from the Mayor of Konya on a visit to Turkey in November.

Some gifts were similar: the couple received six model dhows, a couple of carpets, 68 books and three walking sticks.

Official gifts cannot be sold or exchanged but eventually become part of the Royal Collection.

The total cost of the gifts was not disclosed. — AFP

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