Newly engaged Camilla Parker Bowles was glowing as she showed off her dazzling engagement ring – a royal family heirloom – at a Windsor Castle reception on Thursday evening. The platinum-set jewel features a square-cut central diamond flanked by a further three baguette-cut stones.
Appearing for the first time in public as the Prince of Wales' intended, the 57-year-old divorcee revealed that Prince Charles went down on bended knee to ask for her hand. The couple are due to tie the knot in a civil ceremony in Windsor Town Hall followed by a blessing at St George's Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle on April 8.
According to reports the announcement of the engagement was planned for Valentine's Day, but had to be brought forward after the news was leaked to a British newspaper.
At the reception Camilla, who wore a full-length fuchsia gown by Jean Muir for her first appearance as a bride-to-be, admitted: "I am only just coming down to earth". Her Prince, wreathed in smiles, was similarly enthusiastic and announced, "I'm very happy".
Camilla's marriage will make her the second highest-ranking women in the kingdom after the Queen. Upon her nuptials she will be known as Her Royal Highness, and will take precedence over both Princess Anne and Prince Edward's wife Sophie.
As Prince Charles' wife, she will become Duchess of Cornwall, only one of three women in British history to hold the title. The two previous Duchesses – Caroline of Ansbach and Mary of Teck – held the title only briefly before becoming Princesses of Wales, a title which Camilla will not use.
When Charles inherits the throne Camilla will be known as the Princess Consort, although there is apparently sufficient leeway in the current arrangement to allow Camilla to become Queen should the public support such a move.
prince charles, camilla parker bowles, jean muir, queen
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