Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles put their recent troubles behind them on Thursday when they joined friends at a party in London's Ritz hotel to celebrate the success of the monarch's Golden Jubilee festivities. The Queen, whose dramatic intervention in the trial of former royal butler Paul Burrell has been the source of controversy in recent days, looked radiant in jewels and a sequin-encrusted gown. She cut a very different figure from the tearful, beleaguered matriarch who attended last week's Remembrance Day service.
Her son, Charles – who was celebrating his 54th birthday that day – arrived, as he so often does these days, with his companion Camilla Parker Bowles. The Ritz, where the royal bash was thrown, has a special significance for the pair as it was there that they first appeared together in public four years ago. Smiling and looking relaxed, Camilla mingled with fellow guests who included foreign royals, some of the Queen's senior staff, and friends of the family. Among those sipping £320-a-bottle Roederer Cristal champagne and indulging in a lavish buffet were the Queen's close friend Countess of Carnarvon, Lady Sarah Chatto and her husband Daniel, and King Constantine of Greece.
Following the upset of recent weeks in which both the Queen and Charles have been accused of cover-ups – Charles has come under fire for launching an internal rather than public inquiry into alleged scandals in his household – the British royals were obviously determined to put on a brave – and united – face.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Despite all the troubles of recent weeks the Queen looked radiant at the Ritz bash, for which she wore a sequin-encrusted gown and lavish jewellery
Photo: © AFP
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Her son, Prince Charles, was accompanied, as he so often is these days, by Camilla Parker Bowles
Photo: © AFP
