The Prince of Wales took Camilla Parker Bowles to morning worship at his late grandmother’s favourite church on Sunday, in yet another clear sign that she is being accepted into the royal fold. It was the first time since the Queen Mother’s funeral that Prince Charles had attended church, and the first time Mrs Parker Bowles had visited Crathie Kirk, near the royal estate at Balmoral.
A crowd of about a hundred well-wishers gathered outside the little granite building to meet the couple as they arrived from the Queen Mother’s Scottish residence at Birkhall, where the Prince has been staying since the funeral on Tuesday. Dressed in a Balmoral tartan kilt, Charles and Mrs Parker Bowles, who was wearing a black suit over a grey top and no hat, were accompanied by Daniel Chatto and his wife, Lady Sarah Chatto, and Virginia Carrington, one of Mrs Parker Bowles’ closest friends. There was no sign of Prince Harry, however, who had accompanied his father on the trip from London to Aberdeen last week. Prince Harry is thought to have returned south.
The church visit has fuelled speculation that Mrs Parker Bowles has been welcomed into the Royal Family, and that the chances of the couple marrying – and her receiving a royal title – are no longer so remote. Although the Queen Mother was aware of her grandson’s growing relationship with Mrs Parker Bowles and gave the couple use of the Birkhall mansion, she never allowed them to openly attend church at Crathie.
The church’s minister, the Reverend Bob Sloan, said he was “delighted” to see both of them attend. “It was marvellous to see Prince Charles here today,” he said. “He has obviously been under a lot of strain, mentally, physically and spiritually and it was very heartening to see him and Mrs Parker Bowles.” The Queen is expected to give Birkhall to Prince Charles, who will turn the 18th-century mansion into a home for Camilla and himself.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Royal experts say Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles' visit to the Crathie Kirk - which she had never before attended - is yet another sign that Mrs Parker Bowles has been accepted into the Royal Family
Photo: © Alphapress.com
The Queen is expected to give Birkhall to Charles, who will turn it into a home for Camilla and himself. The Queen Mother's love for the 18th-century mansion stems back to 1930 when she and her "beloved Bertie" - later King George VI - were lent the house by King George V.
