Newlyweds in first royal engagement
(Filed: 14/04/2005) The Prince of Wales and his new wife the Duchess of Cornwall have taken time out from their honeymoon to attend their first royal engagement since getting married.
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of CornwallThe royal couple, who are known as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay in Scotland, were met with cheering crowds as they arrived to open a play park at MonaTRFie Park in Ballater, Aberdeenshire.
Camilla, who was wearing a pink coat with Rothesay tartan trim and shawl which she had already worn on her two previous public appearances this week in Scotland, and Charles, wearing traditional Highland dress with Balmoral tartan, were welcomed by hundreds of members of the public, including some of the 120 children from the local primary school.
The couple have been honeymooning at Birkhall on the Balmoral estate since their wedding last Saturday.
Camilla's coat, created by designer Roy Allen, was first seen at Aberdeen Airport when the couple arrived at the start of their honeymoon, and she wore it again at Crathie Church the following day.
The couple were met by sisters Kerry and Gemma Sinclair, who presented Camilla with a bouquet of white roses and freesias, and gave the Prince a card congratulating him on his wedding.
Camilla, with Charles at her side, then cut a tartan ribbon to officially open the play park, using a pair of gold-plated scissors ordered for the occasion from a London jeweller.
The royal couple stopped and talked with members of local fundraising group the Charitable Chiels, who raised £25,000 towards the £43,000 play park.
They also spoke to some of the children from the local primary school, who rushed into the park to play as the Duchess cut the ribbon.
Charles joked with the youngsters who were sitting in a swinging basket, asking them, "How high does it go?"
Charles and Camilla also met local dignitaries including Lord Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire Angus Farquharson.
Just before they left, some wellwishers began an impromptu performance of the Cliff Richard song Congratulations and a rendition of For They Are Jolly Good Fellows, which led to smiles and waves from the royal couple.
I'm sure they will be a great working couple, I wish them all the luck. One thing though - perhaps the Duchess should consider doing something with her hair?
