Camilla shares her love of royal bric-a-brac bargains
THE Duchess of Cornwall has revealed a most unlikely hobby: collecting royal memorabilia.
The Duchess bought a £1.50 mug commemorating the Queen’s Silver Jubilee at a charity shop yesterday, proclaiming it full of “bargains”.
In doing so, she disclosed she has a “whole collection” at home.
The unexpected pastime from a senior member of the Royal family is all the more remarkable for the fact that the Duchess will one day find her own image on the side of a mug, when she attends the coronation of the future King Charles as Queen Consort.
At the time of the Silver Jubilee in 1977, the Duchess was known as Camilla Parker Bowles, married to Andrew Parker Bowles with no future in the Royal family in sight.
Yesterday, during a visit tied to the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, she disclosed her surprising collection while visiting the Emmaus UK shop in Mossley, Ashton-under-lyne, which supports homeless people. The Duchess has been the organisation’s patron since 2006.
“‘There’s a really nice teapot here for anyone who collects them,” the Duchess was heard to say as she rummaged through the shelves. “I wish I had a bit more time here. It’s a great place to get presents if you have the time.”
Spotting the mug, which had been produced to celebrate the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977, she said: “I see you’ve got a nice jubilee mug. I am going to buy that! I have a whole collection, believe it or not.”
Touring the bric-a-brac area, she spoke to the shop team and volunteers, telling onlookers: “See, I told you: plenty of bargains if you have the time.”
The Duchess visited the area to help promote the Big Jubilee Lunch, the official community celebration for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend next month. Speaking to a group of volunteers who were making recycled bunting, amid the supporters of the Big Lunch, she asked: “Do you feel that people are rallying around now especially after lockdown? It’s just wonderful to get people back together again.”
The Duchess was also given a glimpse of two 14ft high puppets, which will join the Jubilee pageant in London on Sunday, June 5.
“I am thrilled to get everybody here today to celebrate the Jubilee weekend, when I hope you will be having an even bigger lunch on the day,” she said in a speech. “The aim is 10 million people, that’s what we are hoping. It’s a lovely way to celebrate.”