THE Duchess of Cornwall today carried out her first public engagement since the Queen paved the way for her to become Queen Camilla.
The royal, 74, was welcomed to Roundhill Primary School in Bath, where she toured classrooms, joined lessons and even got her hands dirty to plant a tree.
It is the first time the 74-year-old duchess has been out on royal duty since Her Majesty, 95, expressed her “sincere wish” that her daughter-in-law would one day be the Queen Consort.
The duchess joined three-year-olds in a ‘Language for Life’ class in the Sunbeams early years room.
She later planted a tree for the Queen’s Green Canopy with the Eco Team.
Camilla is later set to chat to youngsters making fruit smoothies and visit a reading group to highlight the importance of libraries.
The Duchess of Cornwall has been Patron of St John’s Foundation charity in Bath, which supports local disadvantaged children, since 2009.
It follows the monarch’s announcement that Camilla be known as Queen Consort when Charles takes the throne.
The Queen, who is this year celebrating her Platinum Jubilee, said in an address marking her Accession Day: “I remain eternally grateful for, and humbled by, the loyalty and affection that you continue to give me.
“And when, in the fullness of time, my son Charles becomes King, I know you will give him and his wife Camilla the same support that you have given me.
“And it is my sincere wish that, when that time comes, Camilla will be known as Queen Consort as she continues her own loyal service.”
Charles and Camilla are said to be “touched and honoured” by the decision.
But it is a major U-turn after the duchess took the lesser title Princess Consort when she married Charles 17 years ago.
At the time, royal officials believed there was too much public animosity towards Camilla — married to Andrew Parker Bowles from 1973 to 1995 — following the death of Diana.
But the Firm is understood to have had a change of heart after Camilla’s years of dedicated service.
