Summer 2006 Newsletter: Featuring Queen Elizabeth II & The Duchess of Cornwall

[GrandDuchess]

THE ROYAL FORUMS' NEWSLETTER – SUMMER 2006 *

Welcome to the summer 2006 edition of The Royal Forums’ newsletter.

The summer is upon us again! Barely have we made it through the first month of summer, June, and heat records have already been broken in at least some parts of the world.

Because of the heavy workload on the TRF Team Members who are in charge of the newsletters, busy private lives and the occasional holiday – we have decided to make this year’s summer newsletter valid for three months: June, July and August. In this special newsletter, we will pay tribute to two special, strong women – each marking an anniversary of their own this year. The women are Queen Elizabeth II, who is celebrating her 80th birthday this year in England and throughout the Commonwealth, and the other is the Duchess of Cornwall, who is marking her first year as the wife of the Prince of Wales, and her first year as a member of the British Royal Family.

For me, summer is one of my favourite times of the year, for it is during these months that the landscape around us really comes alive and my country blossoms with beauty in the radiance of the sunshine.

When I think of summer, my first natural thought is of the Swedish celebrations of the Midsummer holiday and my childhood days when I used to pick seven different flowers to place under my pillow before I went to bed on Midsummer Eve, in hopes of dreaming about my future husband that night. As far as I’m aware, I never did dream about him, but my mother always told me that it didn’t matter is I remembered the dream or not, it was the special magical air of the Midsummer that mattered the most, and my husband would appear one day, whether I knew of him or not.

Food is also something that I strongly connect to the summer, mainly pickled herring and small new potatoes served together with dill, a nice fresh sauce and perhaps some cooked fish for a summer lunch in the garden. For dessert a strawberry cake served with coffee for those who prefers that, and chilled lemonade for the others.

The third main thing I connect with summer is the simple life at the summer cottage. With it comes bathing in a sea or lake several times a day, and heating the sauna in the evening for some nice dips in between the warming up in it. And, cooking a light summer’s lunch, with ingredients bought on the town market the same day, taken on the porch overlooking the lake on a beautiful day – not much can compete with that! There is nothing that puts me as fast asleep in the evening as does a busy day at the cottage: eating, bathing, going into the town market, going to the sauna, eating ice cream. Well you get the idea, a typical summer’s day at the cottage really isn’t that busy, but the special life lead there, and I guess the connection to all of the sweet childhood memories, well it just makes my soul so happy and relaxed I feel like a new person each day.


For this very special newsletters, some of our moderators have kindly made a whole new set of avatars of Queen Elizabeth II, going hand-in-hand as you set out to enjoy a lookback at her extraordinary life on the following pages.

Before you continue reading this newsletter, I (GrandDuchess), Alexandria and the whole TRF Team would like to wish all of our members a great summer. A tip from us would be to print out some of the past newsletters that you liked extra much, pack up a pick nick and head for the sea, sun and sand. Well there, pour yourself a glass of ice tea and unfold the prints – and there you have, a perfect royal read in the sun!

The above introduction was written in early June. It was our intention to release this special newsletter in time for the official celebrations of Queen Elizabeth II's birthday (the Trooping of the Colour), but private committments of some of the TRF Team Members came in the way. Better late than never, as the saying goes. We do sincerely hope that you will all enjoy this issue, and we give you our appologies for the delay.

//GrandDuchess & Alexandria

PS. If there is a royal person or residence, or a special piece of jewellery you would like to see covered in a future issue of our newsletter, please let us know here in the newsletter feedback thread. Our member comments and suggestions are always welcome.

FORUM NOTES

We would like to turn the attention of ours members to the fact that The TRF Rules & Guidelines have recently been updated. Please have a look and read them through.

On behalf of the rest of the Moderating Team we would like to welcome the following individuals who will help us run and manage daily activities around the forum: tbhrc, purple_platinum, kwanfan, Mapple, Adry, Lady Jennifer, ~*~Humera~*~, azile1710, Zonk1189 and Danielane. Congratulations to these members!

We would also like to introduce a new sub-forum called Royal Geneology, which can be found here. You can discuss here or pose questions about the geneology of monarchs.

[GrandDuchess]

THE ROYAL CALENDAR - JUNE

BIRTHDAYS

Prince Christian of Hannover (1 June 1985)
Princess Désirée of Sweden (2 June 1938)
Ex-King Constantine (2 June 1940)
The Paramount Ruler of Malaysia (3 June, official birthday)
Prince Felix of Luxembourg (3 June 1984)
Irene Urdangarín y Bórbon (5 June 2005)
King Albert II of the Belgians (6 June 1934)
Prince Joachim of Denmark (7 June 1969)
Andrea Casiraghi (8 June 1984)
Countess Eloise van Oranje-Nassau (8 June 2002)
Princess Theodora of Greece (9 June 1983)
Princess Ragnhild Mrs Lorentzen (9 June 1930)
Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh (10 June 1921)
Princess Madeleine of Sweden (10 June 1982)
Queen Fabiola of Belgium (11 June 1928)
Prince Alois of Liechtenstein (11 June 1968)
Henrik, The Prince Consort of Denmark (11 June 1934)
Infanta Christina of Spain (13 June 1965)
Ex-King Simeon II of Bulgaria (16 June 1937)
Prince William of Wales (21 June 1982)
Princess Alexia of The Netherlands (26 June 2005)
Prince Hussein of Jordan (28 June 1994)
Princess Alexandra, Countess of Frederiksborg (30 June 1964)

ANNIVERSARIES

Wedding Anniversary of Princess Désirée & Baron Silfverschiöld (5 June 1964)
Wedding Anniversary of Princess Tatjana of Liechtenstein & Philip von Lattorff (5 June 1999)
Wedding Anniversary of Princess Alexandra zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg & Count Jefferson von Pfeil und Klein-Ellguth (6 June 1998)
Anniversary of the death of Princess Liliane of the Belgians (7 June 2002)
Wedding Anniversary of Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan & Masako Owada (9 June 1993)
Wedding Anniversary of King Abdullah II of Jordan and Rania Yassine (10 June 1993)
Wedding Anniversary of King Carl XVI Gustaf & Silvia Sommerlath (19 June 1976)
Enthronement Ceremony Anniversary of King Harald V of Norway (23 June 1991)
Wedding Anniversary of Prince Akishino of Japan & Kiko Kawashima (29 June 1990)

DATES OF NOTE

Sweden’s National Day (6 June)
State Visit by the King & Queen of Sweden to the Republic of Turkey (30 May-2 June)
State Visit by the King & Queen of Spain to the Kingdom of Norway (6-8 June)
Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of King Bhumibol of Thailand (12-13 June)
Official national celebrations of the 80th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland (15-17 June)
Annual Service of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, Windsor (19 June)
State Visit by the Queen of The Netherlands to the Kingdom of Belgium (20-22 June)

[GrandDuchess]

THE ROYAL CALENDAR - JULY

BIRTHDAYS

Queen Sonja of Norway (4 July 1937)
Princess Chulabhorn of Thailand (4 July 1957)
Count Jefferson von Pfeil und Klein-Ellguth (12 July 1967)
The Sultan of Brunei (15 July 1946)
Camille Gottlieb (15 July 1998)
Princess Marie of Liechtenstein, née Countess Kálnoky (16 July 1975)
The Duchess of Cornwall (17 July 1947)
Felipe Juan de Marichalar y Bórbon (17 July 1998)
Prince Ernst-August Jr of Hannover (19 July 1983)
Crown Prince Haakon of Norway (20 July 1973)
Princess Alexandra of Hannover (20 July 1999)
Prince Felix of Denmark (22 July 2002)
Prince Vajiralongkorn of Thailand (28 July 1952)
Carlos Morales (30 July 2005)
Prince Johann Georg of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen (31 July 1932)

ANNIVERSARIES

Wedding Anniversary of King Albert II of the Belgians & Paola Ruffo di Calabria (2 July 1959)
Wedding Anniversary of Prince Alois of Liechtenstein and Duchess Sophie in Bavaria (3 July 1993)
Wedding Anniversary of King Mohammed VI of Morocco & Salma Bennani (12 July 2002)
Wedding Anniversary of Prince Constantin of Liechtenstein & Countess Marie Kálnoky (17 July 1999)

DATES OF NOTE

State Visit by King Carl Gustaf & Queen Silvia of Sweden to The People's Republic of China (17-22 July?)

[GrandDuchess]

THE ROYAL CALENDAR - AUGUST

BIRTHDAYS

Prince Louis of Luxembourg (3 August 1986)
Charlotte Casiraghi (3 August 1986)
Princess Beatrice of York (8 August 1986)
Princess Mabel van Oranje-Nassau (11 August 1960)
Queen Sikrit of Thailand (12 August 1932)
The Princess Royal (15 August 1950)
Countess Ingrid von Pfeil und Klein-Ellguth (16 August 2003)
Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway (19 August 1973)
Prince Gabriel of Belgium (20 August 2003)
King Mohammed VI of Morocco (21 August 1963)
Queen Noor of Jordan (23 August 1951)
Princess Maria-Laura of Belgium (26 August 1988)
Prince Nikolai of Denmark (28 August 1999)
Ex-Queen Anne-Marie of Greece (30 August 1946)
Queen Rania of Jordan (31 August 1970)

ANNIVERSARIES

Enthronement Ceremony Anniversary of King Albert II of the Belgians (7 August 1993)
Wedding Anniversary of Crown Prince Haakon of Norway and Mette-Marit Tjessem-Høiby (25 August 2001)
Enthronement Ceremony Anniversary of Prince Hans-Adam of Liechtenstein (26 August 1984)
Wedding Anniversary of King Harald V or Norway and Sonja Haraldsen (29 August 1968)
Anniversary of the death of Queen Astrid of Belgium (29 August 1935)

DATES OF NOTE

Red Cross Ball in Monaco (4 August)

[GrandDuchess]

ROYAL QUICK HITS

Here are a few threads that the TRF Team feel are of note and worth to take a look at

* One year ago I (GrandDuchess) was invited to join the TRF Team, and the first thing I did a few days after joining, was to get involved in planning and creating a big July-August 2005 Newsletter about the summer residences- and holidays of our Royal Families. In my opinion, this newsletter was a huge success and it came out better that I had thought it would. Together with great TRF Team Members and forum members Dennism, Larzen, Lena, The Watcher, Elspeth and pdas1201, we created a wonderful newsletter containing all the information and pictures you could ever want or need to know about where our royals spend their summers, and what they are usually up too.

So now, one year later, it’s summer once again. Before you go on reading this newsletter, I really recommend you to take a look at the July-August 2005 Newsletter again, perhaps if you want to know more on these topics, or if you want to remind yourself. We promise good reading and nice pictures to look at!

* With the lack of grand royal weddings this year, as most royals of the right age are already hitched, why not celebrate the arrival of this summer with a glimpse into the world of royal weddings? The June 2005 Newsletter, “Princess Brides”, covered royal brides through the last centuries, from Princess Beatrix of The Netherlands to Mary Donaldson.

* Ever since April, the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth countries have been celebrating the 80th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II. In her honour, we have created this newsletter about her life, but we recommend you to follow the celebrations that have already taken place and those that are planned in the special thread for her anniversary this year.

* At the end of June, two Benelux countries will strengthen their ties of friendship and cooperation even further as the Queen of The Netherlands will pay a State Visit to Belgium on the invitation of King Albert II. This special event can be followed in this thread.

* This year marks the first year anniversary of the death of Prince Rainier of Monaco, and in July his son, Prince Albert, has been an enthroned sovereign for one year. To remember those celebrations one year ago, go here.

* In July, the King and Queen of Sweden will pay a State Visit to The People’s Republic of China, strengthening the ties between the two countries even further. The visit will celebrate the highly noted arrival of the East Indiaman ship Götheborg to Kanton, and the Royal Couple will also visit Beijing were the President will receive them. The visit can be followed in this thread.

* The month of August, namely the 29th of that month, will mark the wedding anniversary of King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway. Crown Prince Harald truly broke new soil as he was give permission to marry the love of his life, a commoner girl, and after him many others followed. To read about their wedding and see pictures, go here.

[GrandDuchess]

Queen Elizabeth II

For 80 years straight, Elizabeth has been one of the world's most famous people. Born into the Sachsen-Coburg und Gotha family branch Wettin, later changed to the House of Windsor, followed closely by her people ever since her first presentation to the media, the daughter of a Queen who was one of the country's most respected women, not the least in connection to the war, Queen Elizabeth II has always been in the limelight.

She has witnessed 80 years of progress and setbacks in the world, including many of the world's historical moments through the past eight centuries. Born into the British Empire, Elizabeth has seen the fall of the Empire and the birth of the Commonwealth, she has travelled the world, sent her first email in the 1970's when most of us barely knew what a computer was - and not the least, Elizabeth has been Queen over Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the other realms and territories for 54 years.

The Queen has raised four children together with her husband, and the family life of the Windsors has not always been as good as it is now. Together they have lived through many a hard times: divorces, media circuses, deaths and funerals. Their "image" has not always been the best and their rates of approval with the public not always very high - but through it all, Queen Elizabeth II has stood firm on the ground, respected by most people and loved for her immense sense of duty and dedication to her country and her role as monarch. And today, the family of Windsor is a stabile Royal Family with a future that is looking quite bright, a family respected for their hard work and service to their country.

Following this post, we will portray the life of Elizabeth, from her birth to this day. This is our way to celebrate the life of a remarkable woman. Long live the Queen!

[GrandDuchess]

Happy Birthday M'am

Numerous festivities marked the Queen's 80th birthday this year, on her actual birthday of April 21 and on her official birthday on June 17.

April 19: 80th Birthday Reception and Lunch
The Queen and Prince Phillip received 99 guests at Buckingham Palace who were born on the exact same day as her.

April 20: Visit to the British Broadcasting Company (BBC)
The BBC celebrated its 80th anniversary of the granting of its Royal Charter with a visit by the Queen.

April 20: New official portrait
Two new official portraits of the Queen -- one in a royal blue dress and one in a lilac-coloured button up shirt -- is released. The portrait was taken by her former brother-in-law, Lord Snowdon.

Pictures left to right: The Queen meets Allan Garrioch and his wife Helen. (© Pool/ Tim Graham Picture Library/Pool/ Tim Graham Picture Library/Corbis); The Queen with radio presenters Chris Evans and Jo Whiley (© Pool/ Tim Graham Picture Library/Pool/ Tim Graham Picture Library/Corbis); © Tim Graham/Tim Graham/Corbis; Snowdon/Camera Press.

[GrandDuchess]

Tour of the US - continued

On November 4th, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall laid a wreath at the Second World War memorial in Washington D.C.

Afterwards, they looked at the Freedom Wall, a wall of gold stars set between two waterfalls, with each star representing 100 war dead.

Later, Charles and Camilla visited the Folger Shakespeare Library to meet children involved in the ‘Bill’s Buddies’ project and watch a performance in the library’s theatre.

The Prince and The Duchess then headed for New Orleans where they meet survivors of Hurricane Katrina and emergency workers involved in the massive relief effort. The couple, who were on their way to San Francisco, stopped off in Louisiana to see first-hand the widespread damage to the city and visited one of the worst hit areas, the Lower Ninth Ward.

There, they met emergency workers and stood side by side on top of a patched 20 feet-high levee, shaking their heads as they took in the extent of the destruction. All across the area were splintered homes, chunks of concrete and overturned cars.

Later, in the historic French Quarter of New Orleans, The Prince wore a string of Mardi Gras beads, given to him by a well-wisher, which he wore over his blue suit.



On November 5th, Charles and Camilla visited an organic farmer’s market in Marin County before visiting a local farming community at an organic farm. Their Royal Highnesses were visiting the Marin County market in Point Reyes, a small village nestled in the sweeping California hills, on the fifth day of their tour of the USA.

The Duchess sampled food products off some of the stalls and laughed, saying: “I am eating my way around here,” she said. “Luckily I've got a good appetite!”

The couple popped over the road to the Old Western Hotel, an old-fashioned saloon bar. Greeted warmly by landlady Judy Borello, The Prince was handed a pint of the local Boothammer ale, while his wife supped from half a pint of IPA.

The Prince held his pint aloft, toasting a heartfelt “Cheers!” to the handful of local regulars. Charles also patted Fred, the resident dog, and the couple shook hands with well-wishers.

Afterwards, Charles and Camilla toured Star Route Farms, the oldest certified organic farm in California. They enjoyed a tour of the chard fields with owner and leading light of the Californian organic movement Warren Webber and had an organic lunch made up of such delights as “garden sandwiches lavished with local butter and wild watercress”.



On November 6th, Charles and Camilla broke off from their US tour for prayers in a village chapel. Their Royal Highnesses worshipped and sang hymns in an hour-long service at the Episcopalian St Columba's Parish Church in Inverness, near San Francisco. They were greeted by Pastor Tom Brindley, whose daughter presented The Duchess with a small bouquet.

Later in the day, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall were treated to a special version of Beach Blanket Babylon, America’s longest running musical. The musical was specially revamped for the occasion with a British theme.

The Prince and The Duchess laughed and clapped as a giant hat in the shape of London's skyline made an appearance. Former US Secretary of State George Shultz even made a surprise appearance dressed as Superman and said: “Hat's off to the British!” Charles and Camilla joined the audience in a standing ovation.

[GrandDuchess]

Tour of the US - continued

On November 7th, Charles and Camilla visited a market in the Ferry Building on the waterfront.
They also visited the Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School, accompanied by California's First Lady, Maria Shriver, and attended a dinner for business and civic leaders at the De Young Museum



On November 8th, Charles and Camilla visited the Empress Hotel Homeless Project and bid farewell to the American citzens.

Pictures by Getty Images

[GrandDuchess]

November 2005

Official Visit to the United States

On November 1st, The Prince and The Duchess arrived in the New York for the first leg of their tour of the United States of America. They visited Ground Zero as the first stop of their tour.

Charles and Camilla were taken to the site of the World Trade Centre straight after landing in New York to pay their respects to the victims of the terrorist attacks of September 11th 2001 and to meet relatives of those who died. The Duchess left a bouquet of yellow and orange orchids, roses and lilies at the site memorial with a hand-written message from them both that read “In
enduring memory of our shared grief, Charles and Camilla.”

They also went to visit the British Memorial Garden which is dedicated to the memory of the 67 British victims of the atrocity. The Prince is Patron of the project, that is intended to be a gift to the people of New York and provide a place of reflection and remembrance. Their Royal Highnesses unveiled a dedication stone in memory of the British victims of the terrorist attacks. The inscription on the memorial stone, made of Morayshire stone, reads: “This stone was laid on 1 November 2005 by the Patron of this garden, The Prince of Wales.”

In the evening Their Royal Highnesses attended a reception at the Museum of Modern Art. The Prince and The Duchess, who was wearing a midnight blue velvet dress with a large white lace collar, made their way inside accompanied by the host, British Consul General Sir Phillip Thomas, as a jazz band played in the corridor. Guests at the event included Donald Trump, Sting and Trudi Styler, Yoko Ono and Joan Collins.

Pictures from Prince Charles' Official website and Getty Images



On November 2nd, Charles and Camilla went to Washington DC and were received by the President of the United States, George W. Bush and the first lady, Mrs. Laura Bush.

Accompanied by first lady Laura Bush, they toured the SEED Public Charter School, the only public urban boarding school in the U.S.

In the evening, Charles and Camilla attended a gala dinner at the White House.

Pictures from Getty Images



On November 3rd, Charles and Camilla attended a meeting on osteoporosis at the National Institutes of Health.

They toured an exhibition of The Prince's School of Traditional Arts, at the National Building Museum.

In the evening they attended a reception at the ambassador's Residence in Washington.

Pictures from Getty Images

[GrandDuchess]

Birth - Accession to the Throne. A Timeline of the Life of Elizabeth Alexandra Mary

1926-1952

21.4.47 Celebrated 21st birthday in Cape Town; broadcast address to the Commonwealth in which she made a “solemn act of dedication”.

9.7.47 Announced engagement to Lt Philip Mountbatten (The Duke of Edinburgh).

20.11.47 Marriage to HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.

27.5.48 Freedom of the City of Cardiff.

14.11.48 Birth of Prince Charles.

1.3.49 Visit to Edinburgh with The Duke of Edinburgh.

25.5.49 Visit to Northern Ireland; received Freedom of Belfast on 26th May.

21.6.49 Visit to Channel Islands with The Duke of Edinburgh.

4.7.49 Took up residence in new London home, Clarence House.

20.11.49 Visit to Malta.

15.8.50 Princess Elizabeth's daughter, Princess Anne is born at Clarence House.

26.5.51 Presented the King's Colour to the RAF in Hyde Park in His Majesty's absence.

5.6.51 Read the King's Speech of welcome to King of Norway at a State Dinner at Buckingham Palace.

27.9.51 The Princess appointed a Counsellor of State during the King's illness.

9.10.51 Announced from Buckingham Palace that the King, on advice of his doctors, would not carry out intended visit with the Queen to Australia in 1952; and that their places would be taken by TRH Princess Elizabeth and The Duke of Edinburgh.

8.10.51-12.11.51 Tour of Canada.

4.12.51 Introduced as Member of Privy Council.

30.1.52 Attended Drury Lane Theatre in family party with the King, Queen, Princess Margaret and The Duke of Edinburgh on eve of departure for Commonwealth tour.

31.1.52 With Duke of Edinburgh, left London on first stage of tour, arriving Nairobi 1st February.

3.2.52 Arrived at Sagana Hunting Lodge in Nyeri, in the foothills of Mt Kenya. Spent the night at Treetops Hotel. It was at Sagana Lodge that The Princess received the news of the death of HM King George VI on 6th February.

6.2.52 Left Entebbe, Uganda, by air for London, arriving 4.30pm on 7th February.

6.2.52 Her Majesty was proclaimed the new Sovereign at Accession Council at St James' Palace.

8.2.52 The new Queen made Accession Declaration to members of the Privy Council at St James' Palace. Public proclamation of accession of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

[GrandDuchess]

October 2005


On October 23rd, Charles and Camilla joined other members of the Royal Family in a weekend of engagements to mark the 200th Anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar.

On October 25th, Camilla took part in her first gala dinner, in honor of the State Visit of the King and Queen of Norway, together with the Crown Princely Couple. Her Royal Highness wore the magnificent Delhi Durbar Tiara.

On October 26th, Camilla attended a reception for Americans representing arts, culture, business, media and public services at Clarence House

On October 26th, Charles and Camilla welcomed the Crown Princely Couple of Norway, Haakon and Mette-Marit, for tea at Clarence House.

On October 27th, Charles and Camilla attended a lunch hosted by the Norwegian Royal Family on their yacht moored on the River Thames.

On October 27th, Camilla received a delegation from Axminster at Clarence House.

Pictures from Getty Images

[GrandDuchess]

September 2005

On September 10th, Charles and Camilla attended the wedding of the Duchess' son, Tom Parker-Bowles to Miss Sara Buys, held at St. Nicholas Church at Rotherfield Greys in Oxfordshire.

On September 12th, The Duchess agreed to become President or Patron of 6 more charities:
• Animal Care Trust (under the umbrella of The Royal Veterinary College)
• London Chamber Orchestra
• The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists
• Youth Action Wiltshire
• Cornwall Community Foundation

Camilla also agreed to become a President of Scotland’s Gardens Scheme based in Edinburgh, mirroring a similar role to The Prince of Wales who is Patron of the English equivalent, the National Gardens Scheme.
For a full list of Camilla's Patronages, click here

On September 13th, The Prince and The Duchess paid tribute to recipients of the Victoria Cross and the George Cross who have died over the years at a Service of Remembrance and Re-Dedication.

On September 14th, Charles and Camilla visited Richmond in North Yorkshire to help celebrate the 850th Anniversary of the market town’s charter. First, they visited the oldest and most complete working Georgian theatre in Britain, the Georgian Theatre Royal. After that they toured the Richmond’s farmers’ market, and sampled the pork and cheese on offer. Charles and Camilla ended their day's visit with afternoon tea and scones at Richmond station, a Grade II-listed building.

On September 18th, The Prince and The Duchess unveiled a lasting monument to the heroic Royal Air Force pilots who defeated the Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain, and a attended a Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey.

Pictures from Getty Images and Prince Charles' Official website

[GrandDuchess]

August 2005

On August 4th, Charles and Camilla toured the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) Thurso Lifeboat Station at Scrabster in Caithness, Scotland.

On August 5th, The Prince and The Duchess attended the Mey Highland Games in Scotland.

On August 7th, still in Scotland, Charles and Camilla attended a Church Service at Canisbay Church near the Castle of Mey.

Pictures from Prince Charles' Official website and Getty Images