The Duchess of Cornwall Current Events 13: January 2010-September 2013

[Madame Royale]

It's already been modified to add the order circlet.

 

[Iluvbertie]

I believe so. According to Wikipedia, which has been updated with this news the insignia of the GCVO is appended. Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Scroll down to the section on Coat of Arms and you can see a picture of her Coat of Arms but I don't know if the picture is any different to the one that was there last week.

 

[EIIR]

Ah thanks Madame, well spotted. I have to say Camilla's got a pretty groovy coat of arms now.

Iluvbertie, check out the 1st post of this thread, as Madame pointed out it's already been updated with the circlet that says Victoria!

 

[rominet09]

Very happy for her !!!

 

[marine2109]

Elizabeth II honors Camilla in her seventh wedding anniversary with Charles

Isabel II condecora a Camilla en su séptimo aniversario de boda con Carlos | Realeza | Noticias hola.com

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[sirhon11234]

Congrats to Camilla.

 

[Nico]

This is another large statement by The Queen that she does approve of Camilla. The first statement was the day they married with the huge flag put up over Windsor Castle instead of the normal flag. The the Durbar Tiara - the one that Queen Mary wore for the Delhi Durbar in 1911, which Camilla has been allowed to wear. There can be no doubt that The Queen supports Charles' choice of second wife and sees her as a valuable asset to the family, probably because she has made her eldest son and heir so happy.

Can't agree more! We can ad that the RFO awarded in 2007 was a pretty good sign of approval too :

Royal Family Order of Queen Elizabeth II - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Madame Royale]

The first statement was the day they married with the huge flag put up over Windsor Castle instead of the normal flag

Such sentiment seems rather exaggerated to me. It was afterall the Queen's personal standard which flew over Windsor, and it really set the ambience of the occasion. A senior royal wedding in what is arguably the most senior royal residence in Britain, which happens to be the home of the most senior person in the land.

Not to mention that a great deal of the worlds media were present within the grounds that day, beaming footage all around the world, so it made perfect sense that such a sizeable flag should have been flown.

I more or less saw it as an indication of the Queen welcoming the eyes of the world into her home and really quite unrelated to Camilla, personally.

The spectacle of the performance is afterall what the monarchy provides the masses.

 

[Tyger]

I more or less saw it as an indication of the Queen welcoming the eyes of the world into her home and really quite unrelated to Camilla, personally.

The spectacle of the performance is afterall what the monarchy provides the masses.

You may see it that way but imo everything about that wedding was about Camilla personally. After the way Camilla had been villified by Charles' first wife and the press - the Queen was making a statement writ large about her new daughter-in-law.

In as close to a private wedding as they could get - not a 'spectacle of the performance ' - it was all about Camilla, the bride. It was not about the Queen except in-so-far as she gave her blessing. The rest was about that shivering woman, Camilla, on Charles' arm that day.

 

[Madame Royale]

You may see it that way but imo everything about that wedding was about Camilla personally.

And you may see it like that, but to my reasoned sense of logic, I do not. Least of all where personal standards are concerned. If any such standard was to be representative of Camilla, then it would have been that of the Prince of Wales and not the sovereign. Again, her residence, her flag, and an appropriate opportunity to fly one of such bearing.

And of course it is about spectacle. It's about the grandeur, the pomp, the ceremony and quite naturally the location. I dare suggest that If you think it isn't then perhaps your understanding of how the monarchy functions, as a visual presence, is not as well considered as you may like (?) to believe.

The occasion was about Charles and Camilla, but the spectacle itself was yet another insight into the commanding world of royalty for all to see. And it was on display proudly.

 

[Tyger]

If you think it isn't then perhaps your understanding of how monarchy functions, as a visual presence, is not as well considered as you may like (?) to believe.

Do I like to believe that? Thank you for telling me what I believe. Grrrr - Woof!

 

[Madame Royale]

Merely noting the possibility. No where did I tell you what you believe.

 

[Nico]

Well don't know about the flag but to make everyone happy the illumination of the round tower of Windsor the eve of the engagement of Charles and Camilla was clearly a gesture from the Queen .

 

[Madame Royale]

It's not uncommon for landmarks to be illuminated prior to such grand events taking place. Though by no means am I suggesting that it wasn't a gesture in recognition of the upcoming wedding as it most likely was. Much like the illumination of Buckingham Palace during various occasions of note.

This was afterall the wedding/blessing ceremony of the heir apparent.

 

[DavidEckhoff]

Am I alone in thinking that the Royals making awards like this to each other makes the monarchy seem self-obsessed and out of touch? I am not a republican, I want to see the UK monarchy continue but the sight of them covered in medals and awards, from each other, does not sit comfortably with me.

 

[tommy100]

Personally I think it can be read in both ways and thus very one can be happy. I think the large royal standard is always used on such occasions (it was also used for the Cambridge's wedding and I'm sure I've seen a painting somewhere of a similar sized flag being used over Windsor during Victoria's reign) However the Queen could have not asked for the flag to be flow on the tower illuminated if she really wanted to snub Camilla, no-one would have known if she'd said no, so the fact she didn't say no itself was IMO a sign that the Queen was happy to celebrate what was an important and happy day for her eldest son.

Anyway back to the issue in hand, I wonder when we'll first get to see Camilla in her new order, with the Jubilee upon us I can't imagine we'll have to wait too long.

 

[Nico]

Well for once we have some proof about that :

"And the Round Tower at Windsor was illuminated on the instructions of the Queen. "

Charles & Camilla The Royal Wedding: DOWN ON ONE'S KNEE; CAMILLA: I'm just coming down to earth CHARLES: I'm very happy ..I'm so excited. - Free Online Library

"Prince Charles and his longtime love, Camilla Parker Bowles, arrived at Windsor Castle tonight beneath an illuminated Round Tower, specially lit on order of the Queen to celebrate their engagement."

Charles and Camilla to marry | UK news | guardian.co.uk

But you're right it's not uncommon to see illuminated buildings prior to big royal events. A nice touch anyway...

 

[NGalitzine]

Am I alone in thinking that the Royals making awards like this to each other makes the monarchy seem self-obsessed and out of touch? I am not a republican, I want to see the UK monarchy continue but the sight of them covered in medals and awards, from each other, does not sit comfortably with me.

I see nothing wrong with recognizing service to the monarch, and thus to the nation.
Do you have the same view of the corporate world where awards are given to recognize employees, such as salesman of the year or service anniversary awards? What about military personel who receive long service or jubilee medals? The concept is pretty much the same.

 

[tommy100]

Am I alone in thinking that the Royals making awards like this to each other makes the monarchy seem self-obsessed and out of touch? I am not a republican, I want to see the UK monarchy continue but the sight of them covered in medals and awards, from each other, does not sit comfortably with me.

I know this is a thread about Camilla so I'll try not to wander off topic too much. I agree with you in regard to service medals and the like, I always think even though I hugely respect Princess Anne seeing her in full military uniform with a haul of medals is a bit disrespectful to service men and women (though I'm not 100% sure what each medal she has means and I'm sure each Royal has to earn them).
However in regard to awards such as the RVO and the garter etc I just feel its a great British tradition that's not hurting anyone, why shouldn't the Queen reward her family for their public service? There are times when it is indeed inappropriate, like when Andrew was awarded a new honor in the midst of a scandal last year but on the whole and in Camilla's case I agree with it.

 

[Madame Royale]

Am I alone in thinking that the Royals making awards like this to each other makes the monarchy seem self-obsessed and out of touch? I am not a republican, I want to see the UK monarchy continue but the sight of them covered in medals and awards, from each other, does not sit comfortably with me.

I don't understand why not? It is yet again but an element that agreeably disntinguishes them apart from us. It is at the sovereigns pleasure as to who he/she confers such an honour upon, and it is arguably the only order which the monarch has sole jurisdiction over as it has absolutely nothing to do with the state.

I dont at all think it makes them appear out of touch or self-obsessed. Quite the contrary. It's maintaining a sense of continuity that really has little to no impact on the community, but adds to the performance, be it an honourable one, that is the monarchy.

 

[Baroness of Books]

Just referring back to the standard over Windsor Castle on Charles and Camilla's wedding day, isn't the Queen's personal standard always flown when she's in residence?

 

[Madame Royale]

Thats correct, Baroness. Only when the Queen is in residence will her standard ever fly.

 

[Baroness of Books]

Thank you; so no special honor was accorded the newly married couple then.

 

[NGalitzine]

Thank you; so no special honor was accorded the newly married couple then.

The size of the flag varies. A HUGE one is flown on special occassions such as a wedding, like the one on Buckingham Palace when William & Catherine married.

 

[Madame Royale]

Thank you; so no special honor was accorded the newly married couple then.

Precisely. It's size indicated nothing other than the fact it was a notable event, i.e; it's done for show.

 

[Artemisia]

I suppose we can all agree that the Queen has sent clear signals over these seven years that she is very much accepting of her daughter-in-law.
From the private banquet she hosted in honour of the wedding, to the Family Order and now the RVO - all of that came directly from Her Majesty.

 

[Nico]

We may all find this interesting :

About Flags and Flag Staff at Windsor Castle and the mystery of the 1890s. Thamesweb Windsor

"In glorious weather, the great ceremonial Royal Standard flew over Windsor Castle on April 21st 2005 by way of a salute to Queen Elizabeth on the occasion of her 79th birthday. The photo above does not really do justice to this flag's immense size. It measures 38 feet (11.58 meters) across by 19 feet (5.79 meters) deep and flies only on very special occasions. Certainly the Queen's Birthday, her real birthday, is one such occasion, and another is the day of the Garter Service in mid-June. Also, earlier in April 2005, the flag had been flown to mark the wedding of HRH Prince Charles to the Camilla Parker Bowles, the Duchess of Cornwall. On other occasions a smaller version of the Royal Standard is flown."

 

[Artemisia]

Very interesting information, thank you for posting, Nico.
Certainly, the wedding of the future King and Queen of the UK is one of the special occasions to fly the huge standard.

 

[Madame Royale]

It was certainly used over Buckingham Palace during the Cambridge wedding also.

Nonetheless, I think we digress too far and we'll soon be reminded as such if we don't get back on topic

(my fault)

 

[marine2109]

Queen honours Camilla on wedding anniversary

Queen honours Camilla on wedding anniversary | Latest celebrity news hellomagazine.com