Queen Camilla (76) received a warm welcome on the Isle of Man on Wednesday when she met King Charles III. (75) represented on an official visit. Before his diagnosis, the king had planned to personally travel to the island in the Irish Sea off England’s west coast to present the letters patent granting the “Borough of Douglas” city status. His wife now took care of that for him.
As can be seen in the photo of the town hall on the plaque in the foreground, the city’s designation goes back to Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022). The island’s capital honored this in May 2022 as part of the platinum anniversary celebrations.
Queen Camilla wore a blue Anna Valentine coat and navy fringed dress for the occasion, adorned with a large diamond and sapphire brooch gifted by Prince Albert (1819-1861) to Queen Victoria (1819-1901).
As Mail Online further reports, Camilla apologized to her Charles at the start of the speech and said: “My husband is very sorry that he cannot be here today for this special occasion. He sent me here with a speech that I am giving today should be read out.”
Charles’ speech began with: “I am deeply disappointed that I cannot be here today as we celebrate the granting of city status to Douglas here on the Isle of Man. The granting of city status is very special to me because the Letters Patent are the only ones that bear my signature and that of my late mother,” he explained. The king added in his speech that he was “grateful” to the queen that Camilla stepped in.
The mayor also thanked Queen Camilla and asked her to convey her best wishes to the King. Her Majesty signed the city’s visitors’ book before setting off to greet the cheering crowd.
Douglas has been the capital of the Isle of Man since 1896 and is home to the Tynwald Parliament, the oldest continuous parliament in the world. His Majesty the King has visited the island three times, most recently in 2012 in the company of Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
King Charles had stepped away from his royal duties to concentrate on his cancer treatment. He continues to do work personally from his desk.
