Britain’s Duchess of Cornwall has made her first public appearance since her brother’s funeral.
Camilla put on a brave face yesterday (08.05.14) at the opening of two medical centres for the nation’s armed forces, just one week after her brother Mark Shand was laid to rest.
The 62-year-old conservationist tragically passed away last month after sustaining a head injury during a fall in New York. His memorial was held at Holy Trinity Church in Stourpaine, Dorset, on May 1.
The duchess began her official duties at a Royal Air Force base in Leeming, North Yorkshire, where she was greeted by a crowd of eager schoolchildren ahead of opening a £5 million medical centre.
She then headed to open the new £138 million medical training headquarters at the Defence Medical Services Whittington in Staffordshire, where she undertook a tour of the facility and witnessed a special dedication ceremony.
According to the Lichfield Mercury, Camilla said during her speech: "It gives me enormous pleasure to be with you all here today, at Defence Medical Services Whittington, for the dedication of this new, state of the art, medical training facility, which, I know, so many have worked so hard to bring to fruition over the last few years…
"I have seen for myself how tirelessly those in all three medical services strive to achieve the highest possible standards, and I am certain that with the training available here, our Forces will continue to receive the very best medical support."
Before jetting back to London by helicopter, the 66-year-old royal unveiled a commemorative plaque and cut a celebratory cake with Pte Ryan Benson, the youngest person serving at DMS Whittington.
Duchess of Cornwall resumes royal duties
