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The Queen makes Camilla a Dame Grand Cross
The Duchess of Cornwall has been appointed a Dame Grand Cross by the Queen
The Duchess of Cornwall has been made a Dame Grand Cross, the highest female rank in the Royal Victorian Order.
The announcement by Buckingham Palace comes as Camilla and the Prince of Wales celebrate their seventh wedding anniversary.
A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said Camilla, 64, would be invested with the insignia of her rank at a later date.
Appointments to the Royal Victorian Order are made by the Queen independently of 10 Downing Street.
The Order was founded in April 1896 by Queen Victoria as a way of rewarding personal service.
The duchess has become patron of a number of organisations and has travelled extensively with the prince on official visits.
BBC correspondent Fiona Trott commented: "As Charles's second wife, the duchess's involvement in royal engagements was gradual. But now, she's often seen at the Queen's side.
"It's likely that Camilla's award is in recognition of her many royal engagements at home and abroad over the past seven years and is an indication of her importance within the Royal Family."
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Comment number 339.
GDTWEDDLE9th April 2012 - 15:13
Having read that another 100,000 people will be out of work by the end of the summer, I'm sure this news will be of great comfort to them as they try and keep a roof over their heads / feed the family / make ends meet, this will keep their spirits up.
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Comment number 76.
LynnMD9th April 2012 - 10:15
I was not a royalist for many years but then like everyone else I have grown sick of self serving politicians who cannot be trusted. At least the members of the royal family present us with a model of service, albeit from a privileged perspective. Don't forget, Camilla and the Queen are both pensioners and still "work" long hours when captains of industry retire and play golf!
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Comment number 16.
BeckenhamPaul9th April 2012 - 9:15
Great News,Camilla has displayed Dignity and Charm wherever she goes and has been a most excellent consort to the Prince of Wales. She has obviously also supported the Duchess of Cambridge in joining the Firm.It wonderful to read good news in these troubled times. Long Live The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall
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Comment number 9.
Foolmeonce9th April 2012 - 9:06
Not being a royalist I'm not exactly thrilled to see my licence fee being wasted on reporting on absolutely everything the royal family gets up to. Still if it is in the public interest then fair enough. It does strike me that the royal family must be the most highly decorated and honoured group in the country. Its obviously a matter of personal opinion whether you think it's justified. I don't.
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Comment number 3.
Hetsgirl9th April 2012 - 8:53
And as I understand it... it's the only way the Queen can say a public thank you to those who help her (and the Monarchy in general) What else could she do... anyway up, if she chose someone for any other reason there would always be de-criers. Ah yes I see now.. she can't win - even when it's the only private choice she has.
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