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Camilla gets her bus pass
Last updated at 21:37pm on 05.05.07
Birthday girl: Camilla will soon turn 60
She may not look old enough to qualify for a bus pass but the Duchess of Cornwall celebrates her 60th birthday this year and, in a fitting tribute to his wife's passing such a great milestone, Prince Charles has arranged a special celebrity-packed party for her.
The black-tie bash, which has been organised by the Prince's former valet Michael Fawcett, will be held at Highgrove in July.
A host of the couple's showbiz friends - including comedienne Joan Rivers and actor Stephen Fry - will attend.
Camilla's birthday is on July 16, just two weeks after the Princess Diana memorial concert hosted by Princes William and Harry to mark the tenth anniversary of their mother's death.
As a result, Charles has instructed his trusted former valet to handle the party with the utmost sensitivity and tact.
"Charles is aware he has to show due attention to the tenth anniversary of Diana's death. It's one of the biggest dates in the Royal calendar, but birthdays are very important to Charles and he wants to make Camilla's as special as possible,' says a source.
"Luckily, Camilla didn't want a huge, lavish event, which might have taken attention away from Diana's memorial. A dinner party with friends and family seemed the most appropriate solution."
Nonetheless, Charles has instructed courtiers to spare no expense.
"Charles feels that Camilla deserves to be spoiled, especially following her recent hysterectomy. He has invited some of their closest celebrity friends including Joanna Lumley, Prunella Scales and her husband Timothy West."
Prince William is set to attend but Harry will have returned to Iraq. Camilla's children from her first marriage, Laura and Tom Parker Bowles, will also attend the cocktail reception in the garden before the black-tie dinner.
"Harry wants to go but it looks as if he won't be able to. William will be nearing the end of his armoured-vehicle training so he's promised Charles he will attend."
A Clarence House spokesman would only say: "It is a private matter."
Reader views (1)
Come on! Given the way people look in this day and age, Mrs Parker Bowles's face shows all her 60 years (don't be deceived by the bleached-blonde hairdo and the expensive clothes). As for "sensitivity and tact"! A no expense spared black-tie bash at Highgrove attended by show biz "celebrities" is neither sensitive nor tactful. A quiet family dinner, on the other hand ...
- Judys, Australia
