Duchess Camilla finally wore a mask for an event for the very first time

Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall visits the National Gallery in London.

On Tuesday, the Duchess of Cornwall visited the National Gallery in London. She became the second member of the Windsor family to be photographed wearing a mask – the first was Prince William, who wore a mask briefly when he visited a medical/scientific building in June. Camilla’s mask apparently costs £75 and it’s “bespoke.” It was given to her as a gift by a friend, and it was made by designer Fiona Clare. Because I guess it breaks the holy royal protocol for a royal woman to buy her damn masks?

Camilla’s mask-wearing event came just days after she and Prince Charles completed a three-day tour of Cornwall, where neither of them wore masks for any of their public events. Following the tour, even the Daily Mail pointed out that the Windsors actually should be wearing masks for their public events, like the European royals have been doing for months. The Mail’s headline: “Will the royals start wearing masks? Cambridges and septuagenarians Prince Charles and Camilla avoid face coverings for public engagements despite the example set by their European counterparts and politicians.” The Mail noted:

The decision by the British royal family not to wear masks during public engagements comes in stark contrast to the attitude undertaken by their European counterparts. Queen Letizia, 47, and King Felipe of Spain, 52, have frequently stepped out wearing medical masks during their tour of the country over the last month, while Queen Matilde of Belgium has often colour-matched her mask to her outfit.

FEMAIL understands the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will continue to follow government guidance with regard to use of face coverings.

Prince Charles and Camilla, who returned to in-person engagements last month, have undertaken a host of public engagements over the past week as they travelled to Cornwall for their annual trip. While the couple maintained social distancing at each engagement, neither the Prince of Wales or the Duchess opted to wear face coverings during the appearances, despite both falling into the ‘at risk’ age bracket.

[From The Daily Mail]

My guess is that Charles probably believes he’s got immunity after his bout of coronavirus in March, but most medical professionals agree that people can get the virus again, that immunity probably only lasts for a few months. Charles and Camilla are being grossly irresponsible in real-life terms and irresponsible symbolically as public figures. But so are the other Windsors.

I actually saw some of the photos of Charles and Camilla’s maskless Cornwall tour last week and I never got around to writing anything about it because A) the Windsors going maskless is nothing new and B) Charles and Camilla’s tours never really get that much attention anyway. Which brings me to that Finding Freedom story about how Charles was “disappointed” that Harry released that statement to protect Meghan when they were first dating. Charles thought Harry was trying to pull focus from his (Charles’) tour at the time, which had been planned and managed down to the smallest detail. Harry released the statement anyway and pulled focus from Charles’ tour, which… honestly, no one was going to remember anyway. But that’s what Harry and Meghan were dealing with from the start: “you can’t issue a statement protecting your girlfriend from racist abuse because your daddy wants attention for a tour which wasn’t on anyone’s radar.”

PS… I am deeply fond of Camilla’s turtle brooch, to be completely honest.

Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall visits the National Gallery in London.

Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall visits the National Gallery in London.

Photos courtesy of Backgrid.

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23 Responses to “Duchess Camilla finally wore a mask for an event for the very first time”

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  1. Betsy says:

    I can’t lie, I love Camilla’s old lady style. The sensible shoes. A gently shaped denim dress. A brooch, for chrisandpete.

    Good on her for wearing a dang mask finally! Better late than never.

    • Lightpurple says:

      She has great style. She knows what works for her and I would wear that dress and carry that bag. Those shoes, not so much because I don’t like that color.

    • Eleonor says:

      Totally co-sign.
      I am 39 yo and I can totally see myself in the same outfit.

    • yinyang says:

      I agree, and the dress looks worn before, too. Good setting an example.

    • LittlePenguin says:

      I am basically wearing the “it’s dang hot” version of that dress today (sleeveless) as it is 35C here. I was so happy yesterday when I saw her wearing the mask yesterday. Everyone #maskup

    • BayTampaBay says:

      “I am deeply fond of Camilla’s turtle brooch, to be completely honest.”

      I am always newly amazed and pleasantly surprised at Camilla’s excellent sense of style when I believe with all my heart that she would rather be in jeans, flannel shirt and Wellies like The Princess Royal.

    • epc says:

      Just for the record, I believe that is silk shantung, not denim. Love it a lot, though, and good on her for finally wearing a mask.

  2. ce says:

    There are six known strains of Coronavirus, so having immunity from one does not protect you from any of the others (that we know of – we still know very little!). Not to mention there is no science yet on the long-term effects of the virus on our immune system or other bodily systems. Just wear a mask y’all! Vaccine is coming but it ain’t here yet?

    • Babz says:

      Please say that again for the folks in the back! This wretched virus is full of nasty surprises, and assuming we have any control over it or complete knowledge of it, is very dangerous.

  3. yinyang says:

    Good for her. I have similar masks, my only complaint is they lose shape in the wash and wrinkle easily, poor people problems.

    • LadyMTL says:

      I have the same issue with mine losing their shape, and someone suggested I could always iron them if I wanted the pleats to look really sharp again. The idea made me laugh, because I don’t even like ironing my actual clothes hahaha. I can live with a slightly wrinky mask.

      • yinyang says:

        You’re right, I hate ironing too, most of my wardrobe is wrinkle free, and these masks are such a hassle, they have all those little corners and folds. I think I’ll leave them wrinkled for the time being, but I’ll switch over from cotton to polyester/cotton blend or spandex/cotton they seem more durable.

  4. Darla says:

    I cannot stand this woman, and i never could stand this woman. She’s so horrible and yet people stan her because she bagged a married man, is homely, and now as a senior she is half in the bag most of the time which for some reason. folks find adorable. Okay.

    • Tessa says:

      I don’t like her either. I think after the Queen the monarchs and consorts will be terrible.

    • BayTampaBay says:

      @Darla – One of the reasons that some people stan Camilla is that she has done very well making the best of a very bad situation in their personal opinions. OTOH, I can completely understand you feelings and POV. The pros and cons of Camilla have been much discussed on CeleBitchy

      Also, you can like a brooch and not like Camilla or vice-versa! LOL!

    • Tessa says:

      Camilla has met the criteria but she is not a powerhouse in the work department. She does the minimum and also does not have the stamina to complete some royal tours. Camilla never had a bad situation, she was always in charge.

  5. aquarius64 says:

    Actually Harry and Meghan are the first Windsors to wear a mask during a visit. William wore one touring a medical facility. Sophie wore one at an event. But after Charles’ brush with COVID that should have been the signal for everyone to put on a mask and set the example. Sad an opinion poll had to do it.

  6. Julie says:

    Camilla’s outfit is fine, but that woman needs to get a bra that fits properly. Her girls are always way too low, and it makes her look older, heavier, and rowdier than she really is!

    • Babz says:

      Thank you! I thought it was just me feeling that way. I read somewhere that HM has her bras custom made. Cams should avail herself of that wardrobe option.

  7. K8typat says:

    She has that shape dress in every color, length, and fabric. Agree she needs a better bra.

  8. Babz says:

    While I’m glad she’s wearing one, I gave a massive eyeroll at the cost of her “bespoke” mask. There are masks with similar patterns on Etsy and other sites that could be called bespoke, because they are handmade. I have some, myself. And believe me, they cost far less than £75! I do love the colors, though. I’m partial to turquoise and its similar colors. Whatever, Cams. You do you, just keep wearing the masks. If the numbers aren’t going up there yet, they soon will be. Masking could help alleviate that.