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