Prince Charles’s new wife celebrates first Christmas with Royals
Showbiz Desk

LONDON—Camilla, the new wife of Britain’s Prince Charles, spent Christmas with the royal family for the first time, in what British media said was a sign of her acceptance into the fold.
The Duchess of Cornwall, who married Charles in April after a longstanding relationship that continued on-and-off during his 1981-96 marriage with the late Princess Diana, has never before joined Queen Elizabeth II and the rest of her now in-laws at an annual Christmas Day church outing.
The 58-year-old duchess also took part in Saturday’s celebrations at Sandringham House, in eastern England, where the royal family gathers each year, and joined them for lunch on Sunday. Wearing a blue coat and matching hat, the duchess accompanied Charles in a short walk to the Church of St Mary Magdalene from the main house at Sandringham, where they were greeted by hundreds of fans waiting outside.
Prince William, 23, and 21-year-old Prince Harry — the children of Charles and Diana, who died in 1997 — followed behind with several other smartly dressed relatives including the queen’s husband, the Duke of Edinburgh. Many well-wishers said they had not seen such a public turnout at the church for the royal family since the days of Charles and Diana.
“I haven’t seen crowds here like this for a long time — and I think everyone has come to see Camilla,” said pensioner Mary Relph, who lives locally and has been following the royals for decades. “She was definitely the star of the show — even more than Prince William — and I told her that she looked stunning,” she was quoted as saying by Britain’s domestic Press Association.
Queen Elizabeth, 79, who is head of the Church of England, arrived separately by car. Once inside, the Rector of Sandringham, the Reverend Jonathan Riviere, said prayers for the royal family — including its latest addition — in his service, mentioning “the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, Charles and Camilla.”
He also prayed for the victims of last year’s Indian Ocean tsunami and the London bombings in July. After the service, the family headed back to their stately house for a traditional Christmas lunch of turkey with all the trimmings.
Charles and Camilla were left behind as they spent more than 10 minutes making their way through the throngs of fans. The royals were later due to watch the broadcast of a pre-recorded annual Christmas Day speech by the queen to the nation before settling in for an evening of more eating and drinking.
Camilla, however, will bid her hosts farewell before leaving to join her own children, Tom and Laura Parker Bowles. Her first royal Christmas will have been a break from the normal routine of yuletide celebrations in Britain. Unlike most British families, the queen and her relatives open their presents on Christmas Eve rather than December 25.