Posted on 06/11/2005 5:23:02 PM PDT by anniegetyourgun
LONDON (Reuters) - Prince Charles's new wife Camilla appeared for the first time on Saturday on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, an iconic setting for royal appearances before the British public.
Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, was taking part in her first Trooping the Colour ceremony as a member of the royal family to mark Queen Elizabeth's official birthday.
During the procession Camilla rode in a carriage with her step-son Prince William.
In an annual ceremony dating back to the early 1700s, the queen inspected the red-coated troops of the Household Division on Horse Guards Parade in London's Whitehall district.
The queen later joined Camilla and other members of the royal family on the palace balcony to watch a Royal Air Force flypast.
Camilla, blamed by many for Charles's split with the late Princess Diana, was for many years relegated to the sidelines of royal engagements before her marriage in April to the heir to the throne.
Camilla's appearance on the balcony will have been a "hugely significant moment" for her, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told Reuters.
"To stand there will be a total affirmation that she is now accepted as the second most senior female royal in the land and must take her position as such," Bond said.
Members of the Royal family (L-R) Prince William, Camilla Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles, Prince Edward, Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh watch the fly past on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in London following the Trooping the Colour ceremony marking the Queen's official birthday in London, June 11, 2005. Camilla, Prince Charles's new wife, appeared on Saturday for the first time on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, an iconic setting for royal appearances before the public. REUTERS/Kieran Doherty
How gauche....Camilla wearing same dress from wedding.
I need one of those red suits.
Where's Phil?
Taking the photo?
Funny...as I'm reading this thread, I'm listening to a CD of Broadway love songs. Just as I got to the photo and saw Chuck in that red suit, Julie Andrews was singing the line in "My Funny Valentine" about "...a slightly dopey gent."
Coincidence? I don't think so! Synchronicity, maybe!
Still, I say...we kicked these folks' royal kiesters not once, but a couple of times a couple hundred years ago. And we've pulled their chestnuts out of the fire plenty of times since. Why do we make such a big deal over them?
Just a thought...your mileage, of course, my vary...
Oh! I just read the caption - HE GOT CROPPED! LOL!
Charlie looks like he's practicing for a "where will you be when your diarrhea kicks-in?" commercial.
I had no idea Camilla was doing that to him....
And the Queen is saying, "pull my finger."
That little (uncaptioned) girl in the front must be one of Andy's daughters?
UGH! Those ridiculous hats!
Camilla is wearing that hat so no one will look at her face.
My, my. Charles is looking older than his Mum. The Queen Mum lived to be 100 or so. I wonder if Elizabeth will outlive Charles.
LOL! That HAS to be it!
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