Royals make public appearance
2005-04-10 16:44
London - Britain's Prince Charles and his new bride Camilla were welcomed
by a small crowd of cheering fans following church services on Sunday
in the Scottish Highlands where they are spending their honeymoon.
The newlyweds received special prayers and a blessing during the
service at Crathie Kirk church, which is close to the royal retreat
of Birkhall on the Balmoral Estate, Britain's domestic Press
Association news agency reported.
The couple, who married in the southern English town of Windsor
on Saturday, emerged from the service later to cheers and applause
from about 100 people, many of whom were waving flags.
Camilla, who was wearing a fuchsia beret and coat and carrying a
tartan shawl and Prince Charles, dressed in a kilt and tweed
jacket, shook hands with many in the crowd and thanked them for
coming out in the cold.
Genevieve Oswald-Jacobs, who is originally from Australia but
now lives in Tomintoul, was there with her daughters Olivia, 5, and
Francesca, 6.
"Charles went up to Olivia and said that he loved the two
pom-poms on her hat," she said.
"He had the warmest handshake I
have every felt - he was charming."
Raymond Parr, who travelled with his wife Alice from the Scottish
city of Perth, said it was a special day because they did not
expect to meet the royals.
"We came up just to wish them all the best because they have
been upset by the difficulties they have had, and we are really
pleased they have got married," Parr said.
Saturday's wedding, originally planned for Friday, was hastily
rescheduled in order not to clash with the Vatican funeral of Pope
John Paul II attended by Charles and by Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Other gremlins to plague the wedding plans include a forced
change of venue, a volley of legal objections - all rejected -
and the queen's miss of the civil ceremony.
- AFP