STANDING FIRM
Camilla reveals Royals are ‘exhausted’ but are carrying on as ‘stopping would be worse’ as she visits Wales with Charles
CAMILLA admitted she and the other Royals are "exhausted" as she met mourners in Wales today - but said they are carrying on as "stopping would be worse".
The Queen Consort joined the King in Cardiff earlier as he continued his tour of the UK nations.
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During their visit, they attended a reception for faith and community leaders hosted by the Welsh Government at Cardiff Castle.
Among them was Mel Doel OBE, 66, a member of the board of trustees for the National Botanic Garden of Wales.
It comes as...
- Prince William will lead the Queen's grandchildren at a poignant vigil at her coffin tomorrow
- Prince Harry will wear his uniform at the vigil after being granted permission by King Charles
- The list of 500 heads of state and dignitaries attending the Queen's funeral has been confirmed
- Sophie Wessex is reportedly set to take on a number of the Queen's old roles
- Queen Consort Camilla has been soldiering on with her duties despite breaking a toe two weeks ago
- Entry to see the Queen lying in state has been paused for at least six hours
- A minute-by-minute guide on the Queen's funeral details has been released
She spoke briefly to Camilla, Queen Consort as she moved down the line of dignitaries.
And recalling the conversation, Mel said: "I said to her she must be absolutely exhausted and she said 'yes we are but we have to carry on, stopping would be worse'.
"She did say they'd had some time to themselves."
Charles earlier held a private audience with First Minister Mark Drakeford and the Llywydd of the Senedd, the Rt Hon Elin Jones MS.
And he beamed as he met schoolchildren, who held both Union and Welsh flags, in the Welsh capital.
Crowds cheered as he spoke to mourners and there were chants of "God Save the King".
Some people had gathered since 3am to see the King and Queen Consort.
Dexter Garland and Ella Noble, both 10, from St Julian's Primary School in Newport, handed Charles and Camilla a mug each with their own artwork printed on them.
Ella said: "The Queen said she appreciated it and would make sure to have a cup of tea in it.
"It is something I will remember for the rest of my life. It was the best experience of my life."
The moment of happiness cut through a sombre morning that saw Charles and Camilla attend a service of prayer and reflection.
Read more on the Queen's death
The King appeared to grow emotional at times as tributes were paid to his mother at Llandaff Cathedral.
But King Charles allowed a small smile as the service was told the UK would never look at a marmalade sandwich or James Bond in the same way following his mother's death
The good-humoured Queen famously held a tea party with Paddington Bear where she revealed what was in her handbag and enjoyed a skit at the 2012 Olympics with 007.
The service was held in both English and Welsh, which Charles has some fluency in after spending a year in Aberystwyth while at university.
Afterwards, Charles giggled as Camilla was handed a bunch of flowers by five-year-old Keira Hillebert, who swiftly ran off after complaining she was cold.
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He then attended a reception hosted by the Welsh Government after visiting Northern Ireland and Scotland earlier this week.
King Charles will now hold a private audience with Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford at Cardiff Castle, where the Band of the Royal Welsh played the national anthem.
The country holds a special place in Charles' heart after he held the title of Prince of Wales for more than 64 years.
His son William has now been given the honour - with Kate Middleton holding the title of Princess of Wales for the first time since Princess Diana.
Charles honoured both his mother and son as he addressed the Senedd in both Welsh and English.
He said: "Through all the years of her reign, the land of Wales could not have been closer to my mother’s heart.
"I know she took immense pride in your many great achievements – even as she also felt with you deeply in time of sorrow.
"It must surely be counted the greatest privilege to belong to a land that could inspire such devotion. I am resolved to honour that selfless example, in the spirit of the words by which I have always tried to live my own life.
"It was a privilege to be Prince of Wales for so long. Now my son, William, will bear the title. He has a deep love for Wales."
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King Charles is heading back to London tonight where he is hosting faith leaders in the Bow Room of Buckingham Palace.
His duties are continuing today following a day of rest yesterday where he remembered his mother at his Highgrove home.
He will join his brothers and sister at 7.30pm for an emotional vigil by the Queen's coffin as she lies in state in Westminster Hall.
The King, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward will stand guard over Her Majesty for 15 minutes in a tradition known as Vigil of the Princes.
Meanwhile, Prince William and Princess Kate are due to meet troops from the Commonwealth participating in the Queen's funeral at the Army Training Centre Pirbright in Surrey today.
They yesterday viewed tributes for Her Majesty and spoke with mourners at Sandringham.
It comes as thousands continue to queue for hours today to file past the Queen's coffin.
Entry to the line has now been paused for at least six hours after Southwark Park reached its capacity.
Her Majesty will be laid to rest in a state funeral on Monday to mark her incredible 70 years of service.
Further details on the plans were released yesterday - with the sombre occasion starting at 11am in Westminster Abbey.
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The Queen's gun carriage will be drawn by 138 Royal Naval ratings as it is moved from New Palace Yard to Westminster Abbey via Parliament Square, Broad Sanctuary and the Sanctuary.
It will be followed on foot by King Charles and members of the Royal Family including Prince Edward, Prince Andrew, Princess Anne, Prince William and Prince Harry.
The Queen's final resting place will be the King George VI memorial chapel where her mother and father were buried along with the ashes of her sister, Princess Margaret.
Prince Philip's coffin will move from the Royal Vault to the memorial chapel to join his beloved wife of 73 years.
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