The Duchess of Cornwall today carried out her first public engagement since the Queen signalled her approval on Saturday that she will become Queen Consort when Prince Charles takes the throne.
Camilla, 74, first visited Roundhill Primary School in Bath, where she looked surprised to be greeted by dozens of Union Jack-waving youngsters on what turned out to be no ordinary school day – before heading to domestic abuse charity Voices.
The Duchess looked delighted to be at the West Country school just days after it was revealed by the Queen in her Accession Day statement that Camilla will be crowned Queen Consort when Charles ascends to the throne.
The Duke of Cambridge is said to be ‘supportive’ of the Queen’s move to make his stepmother Queen consort.
So far, there has been no comment from Prince Harry on the weekend’s developments.
On a chilly morning in Bath today, Camilla eschewed a winter coat for the public duty, looking elegant in a navy and emerald tartan skirt suit with navy velour collar and cuffs – and black leather gloves – as she made her way into the primary school.
As she arrived at the school and walked up the drive she was greeted by dozens of excited youngsters, waving Union flags and shouting her name. There was even the odd shout of ‘Queen Camilla!’ amongst them.
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The Duchess of Cornwall made her first public appearance since receiving the Queen’s official approval on her future title at the weekend, paying a visit to Roundhill Primary School in Bath on Tuesday
Waving the Union Jack for the future Queen Consort! Camilla shook hands with parents and children who had turned out to say hello on what was anything but an ordinary school day for them. There was even the odd shout of ‘Queen Camilla!’ amongst the crowd
In a Accession Day statement on Saturday, the Queen assured Camilla that she will be crowned Queen Consort when Charles becomes King; Camilla, 74, looked enamoured with the young school pupils she met this morning in the West Country
The Duchess looked elegant in a navy and emerald tartan skirt suit with navy velour collar as she made her way into the primary school this morning, greeting dozens of well-wishers on the way
A delighted school mum chats to the future Queen Consort across the blue gates as parents and students wave their flags
A little shy? A young pupil looks the other way with his arms folded as the Duchess takes a seat at a table of three-year-olds during the morning session at Roundhill Primary School
The youngster soon warms up though, holding the gloved hand of the Duchess as they join in a sing-a-long as part of the school’s Early Years programme
Headteacher Sue Adams was asked whether the children understood the significance of the announcement at the weekend by the Queen.
She said: ‘I think some of the older children do. It would be lost on our younger children, I think, and they do get sometimes confused by the titles of different people but it’s part of our work. We always watch Newsround and we try and keep the children up to date.
Asked whether the visit by Camilla was ‘even more exciting’ because of the announcement, Mrs Adams replied: ‘Absolutely, definitely.’
Once inside, the royal joined a range of classes with excited pupils, including a ‘Language for Life’ session with a group of three-year-olds and the Sunbeam’s Early Years classroom.
Inside the warm and vibrant building, the walls covered with colourful art, she sat down with four youngsters who were seated around a table learning from teaching cards with their teacher to learn about opposites.
‘We are playing a little game,’ said the teacher.
‘Good morning everybody. You are playing a game?’ questioned Camilla, as she settled herself down at the table without ceremony and took part in the fun.
One little boy told her his name was Freddie. ‘I have a grandson called Freddie. It’s a very nice name.’
Another little girl, referring to her friend, told her: ‘That is called Maisie and his is called Thomas.’
‘Well I can see who the bossy one is,’ joked the Duchess, to much laughter.
She also gamely held the children’s hands and joined them a sing-a-long. And she couldn’t resist making an unscheduled stop where some children were playing with pretend tea and cakes.
‘Are those cakes?’ she asked one delighted little girl.
‘Am I going to get served? What cake is that? Is it nice? Is it chocolate cake? Does everyone like chocolate cake? They look delicious. Are you going to have them for your lunch?’
Royal standard: The Duchess of Cornwall also planted a tree in the school’s garden during her visit, taking a spade and moving soil around the roots, as pupils and teachers looked on
She also sat down with a group of children aged eight to ten in the Owl Reading Room, who are creating a book on the importance of being at school. The book is about the joy of going to a school where magic is happens and the children hope it will be published to raise money to create a snack area for their playground.
The royal asked one student: ‘Do you like being in the library? It’s a good place to be.’
Camilla asked them if it was ‘all go’ at the school. ‘Well it is today,’ joked head Sue Adams.
Later, the Duchess also watched pupils making fruit kebabs and even persuaded one reluctant boy, Conor, to try a few new things. ‘It’s a bit chewy, it might get stuck in your teeth a bit,’ she said of the pineapple.
The Duchess also carried out another two ‘hardy annuals’ of royal life – a tree-planting to mark the Queen’s Green Canopy Initiative with the school’s ‘Eco Team’ and unveiling a plaque to commemorate the visit. Like her husband, Camilla shook the tree for good luck. ‘I always give it a tap,’ she explained.
The trip had been organised in her role as Patron of St John’s Foundation, a position the Duchess has held since 2009. The Bath-based charity is working with several schools in the area to support disadvantaged children in developing literacy and numeracy.
Two pupils watch as the Duchess of Cornwall makes light work of a bit of mid-morning gardening during her visit
And it’s in! The tree stands firm as the Duchess of Cornwall admires her horticultural handiwork during her visit to the school in the Southdown area of Bath
This afternoon, the Duchess made the short journey to meets staff and trustees at The Villa during her visit to Bath-based charity VOICES
The charity aims to help people enduring unhealthy relationships or those who have experienced domestic abuse; the Duchess has frequently spoken out about domestic violence against women in the UK
The royal chatted with volunteers at the Bath-based project, listening to stories of how the charity has helped vulnerable people
The royal took time to speak to trustees and volunteers about the work the charity does on Tuesday afternoon
Dating back to the 12th century, it is helping to equip children with the skills and level of education needed to thrive in their transition into secondary school.
Her final class was Maths with Laurel class, eight and nine-year-olds who were learning about division and remainders. The Duchess jokingly pulled a face and said; ‘I was never any good at Maths. If I was in your class, I would be bottom of the class.‘
Before she left she was invited into the school hall to listen to a cheery song specially composed for the occasion called ‘We Are Proud of Our School.’
Following the visit, Sue Adams, headteacher at Roundhill Primary School, said the Duchess of Cornwall ‘obviously really loves children’, saying the royal ‘engaged with the children really well and was interested in what they were learning and talking to them and questioning them.’
‘She wasn’t quite sure about the Maths lesson, she said that wasn’t her favourite subject. But it was really good to be able to show us some of the practical strategies that the staff are using to help them to engage with Maths.
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, poses for a photo with staff holding a picture of a staff member that passed away during her visit
With no mask, the Duchess seemed relaxed about shaking hands as the pandemic lingers on; although she did wear a glove during her visit
The school’s headteacher, Sue Adams, told reporters that the Duchess of Cornwall ‘obviously really loves children’ after seeing her interactions with some of the pupils at the school
After being presented with a pretty posy of fresh flowers, the future Queen Consort waved at pupils ahead of her speech addressing older pupils at the Bath primary school
The pupils are said to be sending the Duchess, known for her own love of reading, a copy of a story they’re hoping to have published
Not your average Tuesday! The Duchess of Cornwall stands next to the headteacher, Sue Adams, during the visit. The head said: ‘We’re absolutely thrilled that the children have had that possibly once-in-a-lifetime experience. We’re very proud.’
Camilla grapples with a red velour sheet which was draped over an official plaque to mark the royal visit ; she admitted to headteacher Mrs Adams that Maths wasn’t always her strongest subject at school
The big reveal: The royal carefully removes the sheet to reveal the silver plaque on an easel, much to the delight of those looking on
The Duchess also unveiled a plaque commemorating her visit to the West Country school following her address
Royal round table: The Duchess also watched pupils making fruit kebabs and even persuaded one reluctant boy, Conor, to try a few new things. ‘It’s a bit chewy, it might get stuck in your teeth a bit,’ she said of the pineapple
Speaking about the royal’s interactions with children in the library, Mrs Adams said: ‘In the library we had a small group who are making a book about how fabulous it is to come to school.
‘They’re illustrating it, they’re writing it and they’re going to publish it. The Duchess has asked if we’ll send her a copy once it’s published.
‘It’s a wonderful opportunity for our children. We’re not that close to London and we don’t necessarily get to see a lot of the royal events. For us to be able to host a royal visit is a real privilege and an honour.
‘We’re absolutely thrilled that the children have had that possibly once-in-a-lifetime experience. We’re very proud.’
Mrs Adams said the Duchess was ‘obviously very passionate’ about reading.
‘We want all children to be able to be confident to speak and contribute and to articulate their learning. We want them to go on and to be able to read confidently and love reading and she shares that passion.
‘It was really great to be able to talk to her about the different aspects, and how we can help children to remove some of the barriers that are there for them in that learning.’
A pupil chats to the royal about Maths during her first outing since gaining the approval of the Queen that she will be made Queen Consort when Prince Charles becomes King
Wearing black leather gloves, the Duchess offered a hand through the gates to greet children and their parents during the visit, where she would later join a group of three-year-olds for a learning session in the school’s Early Years centre
Time for a chat: The Duchess, 74, leaned in to hear the youngsters who were waving their Union Jacks at her
The trip has been organised in her role as Patron of St John’s Foundation, a position she had held since 2009
With the Queen setting out her wishes and calling for people to support Charles and Camilla, the Duchess will undoubtedly be crowned alongside the Prince at his coronation when the time comes. (Pictured: Queen Elizabeth II and the Duchess of Rothesay share a laugh during a visit to Dumfries House, Scotland)
The Duke of Cambridge is ‘supportive’ of the Queen’s move to make his stepmother Queen consort. Prince William was not part of the decision-making process, the Daily Mail understands, but is ‘respectful’ of the logic of his grandmother’s decision. Above: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with the Duchess of Cornwall at the premiere of James Bond film No Time to Die in September last year
Earlier this week, Camilla and Prince Charles said they were ‘touched and honoured’ by the Queen’s Accession Day message on Saturday in which Her Majesty made clear it was her ‘sincere wish’ that she be known as Queen Consort when her husband becomes King.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Prince of Wales said: ‘On this historic day, my wife and I join you all in congratulating Her Majesty The Queen on the remarkable achievement of serving this nation, the Realms and Commonwealth for seventy years. The Queen’s devotion to the welfare of all her people inspires still greater admiration with each passing year.
‘We are deeply conscious of the honour represented by my mother’s wish. As we have sought together to serve and support Her Majesty and the people of our communities, my darling wife has been my own steadfast support throughout.
‘The year of this unprecedented Platinum Jubilee brings an opportunity for us all to come together in celebrating the service of The Queen, by whose example we will continue to be led in the years to come.’
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have not commented publicly on the Queen’s statement but did retweet the Royal Family’s post, which included the Queen’s announcement. They also shared a news story on their joint Instagram account.
In a statement that ends years of uncertainty, Elizabeth II has expressed her ‘sincere wish’ that Camilla be given the title when Charles ascends to the throne, telling the public ‘I know you will give them the same support you have given me’ Pictured: The Queen, the Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall attend a state banquet for the King of the Netherlands
Sources say that while William and Camilla’s was not an easy relationship at first – or indeed for a number of years after her marriage to his father – the second in line to the throne is pragmatic about her role in his father’s life and, now, the future of the monarchy.
‘The duke is supportive,’ a well-placed palace source confirmed to the Daily Mail last night.
Another emphasised that while he was not part of the final decision-making process, the prince, 39, would have discussed the issue with his father and, effectively, given his blessing.
‘None of this can have been easy for him,’ one insider said.
‘There were huge family rows in the early stages of Charles and Camilla’s marriage as everyone found their feet. William didn’t have the best relationship with his father back then.
‘But he sees that Camilla had made his father happy and it is something he has come to terms with.
Sources say that while theirs was not an easy relationship at first – or indeed for a number of years after her marriage to his father – the second in line to the throne is pragmatic about Camilla’s role in his father’s life and, now, the future of the monarchy. Above: William with Camilla and Kate Middleton with Prince Charles
So far, there has been no comment from Prince Harry (pictured with Meghan in Ireland in July 2018) on the weekend’s developments
‘His relationship with the Prince of Wales is better than it ever has been. He is not particularly close to his stepmother but they get on perfectly well and are quite the blended family now. He also respects his grandmother and her judgment more than anything in the world. If it is right for her, then it will be right for him.’
Friends say that William still believes he has a role to champion his late mother’s legacy and will never shy away from speaking about Princess Diana, her achievements or the way she was treated, not just by the Royal Family but by the media and establishment.
‘But as everyone says, time is a great healer – in many different ways,’ said one insider.
However, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have made no public comment since the announcement that Camilla would become Queen Consort at 10pm on Saturday.
It comes after it emerged on Monday that Prince Charles changed his coronation vows several years ago to include ‘Queen Camilla’ – with his mother’s blessing.
The insertion of his wife’s title was included as part of a general reworking of plans for the Westminster Abbey ceremony up to five years ago, a senior palace source said.
Royal experts responded to the Queen’s Accession Day statement, saying there was ‘no finer vote of confidence in Camilla’ than making her Queen Consort.
Peter Hunt, a former BBC royal correspondent said: ‘The Queen is ensuring the transition, when it comes, to her son as king is as seamless and trouble free as possible.
‘She’s future-proofing an institution she’s served for seventy years.
‘And for Camilla, the journey from being the third person in a marriage to queen-in-waiting, is complete.’
Royal biographer Ingrid Seward said Camilla becoming Queen is the ‘ultimate royal stamp of approval’ Prince Charles has always craved.
‘It’s a remarkable rehabilitation for the woman who a large proportion of the public blamed for the end of a royal fairytale’, she wrote in the Sun.