Camilla to miss first leg of tour
2011-10-14 22:36
London - Britain's Duchess of Cornwall will miss the start of Prince Charles' Middle East and African tour.
Camilla will not accompany her husband when he jets to Kuwait and Qatar next month because the arrangements were made late, and will instead meet with Charles when he arrives into South Africa.
Denying the duchess is missing the dates because it would be too exhausting, a royal spokesperson said: "She is going to manage eight or nine days in South Africa and Tanzania pretty non-stop. I don't think there is any problem on that front."
Entourage
Meanwhile, it has been revealed the couple will be accompanied on the trip by an entourage of at least 15 people - including a doctor, hairdresser, valet, equerry, logistics manager, and an official artist.
The artist has not been named, which Clarence House said was "for his own protection from the media, because he is very nervous".
Charles has previously taken artists Neale Worley and James Hart Dyke on trips, and their works are described as the prince's legacy contribution to the Royal Collection, which currently houses work by the likes of Rembrandt, Vermeer and Van Dyck.
A spokesperson said: "He has decided his contribution will be paintings by up-and-coming British artists. The latest has already been chosen by the prince's art adviser."