Royals go mask-free on visit for first time in crisis
‘HOPEFULLY WE’RE OVER WORST OF IT’
THE Duchess of Cornwall voiced the thoughts of a nation when she expressed her hopes that the country is over the worst of the pandemic as she and the Prince of Wales took part in their first mask-free royal event of the crisis.
Camilla’s comment came during an impromptu walkabout in the grounds of Exeter Cathedral, where she and Charles met members of the public in numbers not seen for more than a year.
The couple’s tour of the cathedral – part of a three-day trip to Devon and Cornwall – had been publicised in advance, another sign of a return to normality, and around 100 people turned out in blazing summer sunshine to welcome them yesterday.
After meeting community and environmental groups in the open air, Charles and Camilla walked over to a line of residents
We were just discussing the relaxation of rules. Senior healthcare assistant Tuesday Masding, who spoke to the Duchess of Cornwall.
who had been waiting for them to arrive.
The Duchess chatted to Exeter resident Sarah Clarke, who said afterwards: “She said it’s lovely to be here and hopefully we’re over the worst of it and I said ‘Fingers crossed’.”
The royal couple also chatted to Tuesday Masding, a senior healthcare assistant with North Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.
She said after speaking to Camilla:
“We were just discussing the relaxation of rules and how she hasn’t quite got around to shaking hands with people, and I said that’s probably an appropriate reaction.”
The Dean of Exeter, the Very Rev Jonathan Greener, hailed the visit of the Prince and Duchess, who also learned about ongoing major renovations to the medieval church.