There are worse places to spend a birthday than the idyllic Scilly Isles, as the Duchess of Cornwall is discovering today.
As Camilla, who celebrates her 71st birthday today, touched down with Prince Charles, 69, on the stunning British archipelago off Cornwall’s coast, she was immediately presented with a colourful bouquet of blooms by a well-wisher.
The couple arrived at the picturesque quayside on St Mary’s Island this morning, with Camilla swiftly presented with the flowers – and a short time later, the Duchess found herself blowing out the candles on a delicious-looking birthday cake.
A delighted Camilla looks on as Prince Charles helps himself to a slice of her birthday cake. The Duchess is celebrating her 71st birthday today as the couple continue their tour of the South West
Happy birthday to me! Camilla, who celebrates her 71st birthday today arrives at St Mary’s Island quayside on the Scilly Isles today
Mac required! While much of the rest of the UK basks in sunshine, Camilla got a taste of the Scilly Isles’ famous micro-climate this afternoon, as she touched down with Charles amid a shower
Prince Charles, 69, opted for a cream coloured jacket as he chatted to a four-legged friend in the line of well-wishers that arrived at St Mary’s Island quayside to greet the couple
Clad in waterproofs, the pooch’s owner looked delighted by the attention given to the soggy-looking doggy
Charles took time to chat with the inhabitants of St Mary’s Island, which is the Scilly Isles’ largest isle in the archipelago
The Duchess opted for a floral number herself, wearing a distinctive white and green knee-length dress adorned with poppies.
The royals experienced first-hand the Scilly Isles’ famous micro-climate, with Camilla covering up with a classic cream rain mac as the heavens opened.
Those waiting to greet the couple clearly know the local weather, and were clad in waterproofs.
From there, the heir to the throne perused a food market, stopping to sniff a bottle of pink gin, made by local island producer Westward Farm.
Despite the early hour, a beer seller almost persuaded the Prince to sample some island ale too.
Happy birthday Ma’am! The beautiful cake, topped with cream icing and delicate pink roses, with orange peel detail around the edges was presented to Camilla by a local restaurant
A modest number of candles topped the cake, as the Duchess gamely blew them all out
Make a wish: The Duchess leans in to extinguish the four candles that topped the cake
Save a slice for me: Prince Charles looks on as his wife carves through the cake
The heir to the throne, who himself turns 70 this year, takes matters into his own hands, cutting his own slice
Cake by the ocean! The couple take a moment to tuck into the birthday cake
Yesterday Prince Charles revealed he spends his Sunday nights watching BBC drama Poldark – just like millions of viewers around the country.
The revelation emerged when he and the Duchess of Cornwall paid a visit to Bookends bookshop in Fowey, Cornwall, as they kicked off their annual tour of the south-west.
After spotting novels by Poldark writer Winston Graham, Charles told owners Ann and David Willmore: ‘What I can’t get over watching that Poldark stuff on the television, is just how many he wrote.’
A gift for Camilla? Prince Charles smells a bottle of island pink gin, produced by local company Westward farm, as he toured a food market on the quayside
It’s a bit early…oh go on then! Charles, 69, shares a joke with a local ale maker as he picks up a glass to sample it
Welcome to Cornwall! The couple were given a ‘guard of honour’ with large wooden oars by the Fowey Gig Club as they kicked off their tour of the south-west in Fowey
Don’t rain on our parade! Charles grabbed an umbrella as they arrived in a downpour
Unlikely fan: The royal, 69, reveals he enjoys watching Aidan Turner in BBC drama Poldark
Mrs Willmore said it was a great honour to have Charles in their shop, which sells mainly second-hand books.
She added: ‘Poldark books have always been up there in terms of popular Cornish books, and since the television series there’s been an up-surge in interest right across Cornwall.’
She added that the Duchess of Cornwall – an avid reader who is a patron or supporter of a number of literary organisations – also popped into the shop briefly, saying she couldn’t resist coming in.
Earlier today Charles and Camilla kicked off their Cornwall visit in spectacular fashion this morning with a champagne-fuelled seaside festival.
The Prince of Wales and his wife are beginning their annual tour of the south-west of England in Fowey, a small Cornish harbour town celebrating its annual fete.
The couple were given a ‘guard of honour’ with large wooden oars by the Fowey Gig Club, before the Duchess of Cornwall christened a lifeboat with a bottle of bubbly.
Camilla, 70, opted for a summery ice blue dress and tan courts, while her husband plumped for a light linen suit.
The Duchess of Cornwall christens a lifeboat with a bottle of bubbly during a boat-naming ceremony. This year’s Devon and Cornwall visit will focus on the region’s local businesses
Youngsters who had come out to greet the couple and were waving Union flags got a soaking when the rain started to pour in Fowey, Cornwall
What a racket! The couple were forced to stick their fingers in their ears to block out the deafening noise of the cannon fun which was fire to launch the gig race
Schoolchildren wait to see the couple during their visit to Fowey this morning, the first pit-stop on their annual south-west visit which will take them to Devon tomorrow
During their visit at the Celebration of Fowey Festival on Monday morning, the couple toured local businesses and met residents, representatives from the Fowey Gig Club, and members of the RNLI and Royal British Legion.
Before they left the town, the heavens opened and dozens of young well-wishers who had come out to greet the royal couple got drenched.
This year’s Devon and Cornwall visit will focus on the region’s local businesses, Clarence House have said.
The couple will learn from the artisan producers who help bolster the area’s food and drink sector, as well as innovative firms such as Finisterre, which creates sustainable outdoor clothing.
Charles who is a passionate advocate on environmental issues – will also attend part of the Ocean Plastic Solutions Day, organised by Surfers Against Sewage, in collaboration with Finisterre.
During their visit to Fowey this morning, the future couple got the chance to meet local business owners (Camilla pictured in an interiors shop)
Something for Clarence House? The Duchess looked delighted as she perused the homeware selection, pausing to examine some beautifully hand-painted blue and white plates
Making friends: Camilla looked particularly taken with a pug she met while greeting well-wishers in the harbour town of Fowey, Cornwall on Monday, the first pit-stop of their tour
Camilla, 70, chats to locals who turned out to greet the couple despite the rain. She looked delighted as she spoke to a woman carrying a little girl and accepted a bouquet of flowers
Time for a spot of lunch? Camilla tries out a traditional Cornish pasty during her tour of Fowey. The town is holding its annual Fowey Festival Celebration this week
Camilla offers Charles a homemade pasty. This year’s Devon and Cornwall visit will focus on the region’s local businesses, Clarence House have said
Charles puts his fingers in his ears as a small cannon is fired to begin the Gig Club race at the Fowey Festival Celebration this morning
Charles couldn’t help covering his ears. The couple – known as the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall while in the county – will show their support to local communities during their visit
VIP visitors: During their visit at the Celebration of Fowey Festival on Monday morning, the couple toured businesses and met residents and representatives from the Fowey Gig Club
Busy week: This week the couple will learn from the artisan producers who help bolster the area’s food and drink sector, as well as innovative firms such as Finisterre
On tour: The couple – known as the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall while in the county – plan to show their support to local communities during their visit
After stopping off at Fowey today, Charles will also attend part of the Ocean Plastic Solutions Day, organised by Surfers Against Sewage, in collaboration with Finisterre
Another highlight will be the couple’s visit to the Isles of Scilly – St Mary’s and St Martin’s – on Tuesday.
The couple – known as the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall while in the county – also plan to show their support to local communities during their visit.
Camilla, 70, will attend a reception to mark the 15th anniversary of the Cornwall Community Foundation, of which she is Patron.
She and Charles, 69, will both visit the village shop in St. Tudy, a community-run business, where they will meet the volunteers who staff the shop and will officially open its new extension, which provides a meeting space for local residents