Camilla ‘just coming down to earth’ after royal proposal

ROYAL bride-to-be Camilla Parker Bowles last night said she was “just coming down to earth” after the Prince of Wales went down on one knee to propose.

She was congratulated on her forthcoming nuptials as the pair attended a gala dinner at Windsor Castle where they will wed in two months' time.

Entering the castle's grand reception room through the double doors, Charles and Camilla were greeted with applause by waiting guests.

"Thank you very much," Camilla said as she was congratulated.

Asked how she was doing, she said: "All right, I'm just coming down to earth."

Quizzed about the heir to the throne's proposal and whether he got down on one knee she said with a wide grin: "Of course. What else?"

Charles said: "I'm very happy."

Following the historic nuptials in a civil ceremony at Windsor Castle, Ms Parker Bowles will become the Duchess of Cornwall. But when Charles eventually accedes to the throne as King, she will take on the title of the first Princess Consort.

The unexpected announcement of the heir to the throne's engagement was prompted by a leak to the media.

The queen, who gave her son and heir formal permission to marry after consulting British Prime Minister Tony Blair yesterday, joined the Duke of Edinburgh and Princes William and Harry in congratulating the bride and groom-to-be.

William and Harry said they were delighted for their father and new stepmother.

The Archbishop of Canterbury was involved in the delicate negotiations about how Charles should marry divorcee Camilla, with whom he had an affair while still married to Diana, Princess of Wales. The civil ceremony is to be followed by a religious blessing with the Archbishop in St George's Chapel.

The announcement of their engagement comes nearly nine years after Charles divorced Diana and more than seven years after she was killed in a car crash in Paris.

The inquest into her death has yet to be completed and former head of the Metropolitan Police Sir John Stevens is still investigating the 1997 incident.

Although legally upon her marriage Camilla will be the Princess of Wales, aides said she wished to be known as the Duchess of Cornwall instead for "private reasons."

But there can be no doubt that the public's opinion on her adopting the title that belonged to the "People's Princess" Diana was a factor.

The prince was said to be in marvellous spirits following the announcement.

"Mrs Parker Bowles and I are absolutely delighted. It will be a very special day for us and our families," he said in a statement.

Senior officials denied the pair were pressured into marrying following controversy over how the Prince funded his partner's lifestyle.

Mrs Parker Bowles's current position an unofficial companion meant her status was dogged with problems, including controversy over her seating at social functions away from the heir to the throne and questions over the cost of her lifestyle and how it was funded by the Prince.

Last June, she was mentioned in the Prince's accounts for the first time moving into a new realm of acceptance.

Clarence House had intended to reveal the news next week and the queen met Mr Blair yesterday to seek his advice and subsequently gave her permission.

The newly-weds will spend their honeymoon at Birkhall, with Charles taking between a week and 10 days off at the Scottish retreat.

In her role as Duchess and wife of the heir to the throne, Camilla will join Charles on official engagements and tours.