Royal honeymooners given warm welcome in Scotland
LONDON, Sunday (AFP)
Britain's Prince Charles and his new bride Camilla were welcomed by a
small crowd of cheering fans following church services 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
around 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 traveled 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. |