CAMILLA'S FIRST DATE TO DINE WITH QUEEN

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CAMILLA'S FIRST DATE TO DINE WITH QUEEN


CAMILLA Parker Bowles has been invited to join the Queen and senior
members of the Royal Family for dinner.

The intimate arrangement will bring Prince Charles' companion closer
than she's ever been to the royals.

Prince Charles will host the private family meal as a tribute to his
mother to mark the 50th anniversary of her coronation.

Those attending the Palace gathering are expected to include Prince
Philip - who has always refused to acknowledge Camilla - Princess
Anne, Prince Andrew and the Earl and Countess of Wessex.

The event will mark the proudest moment in Prince Charles' long-
running campaign to have Camilla accepted by his mother and family as
his official partner.

Until now the Queen is thought to have had reservations about
publicly appearing to condone the relationship, fearing it threatened
the stability of the monarchy.

Mrs Parker Bowles was blamed by Princess Diana, for the breakdown of
her marriage.

Royal sources last night confirmed that Camilla would be a guest
at "private family celebrations" to mark the 1953 Coronation. They
could be held at Buckingham Palace or Clarence House.

A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said: "The private elements of the
day are still being finalised, but it is likely they will remain
private."

It follows a personal invitation from the Queen to Camilla to attend
next Monday's Westminster Abbey service, the major royal event of the
year.

Government ministers, headed by PM Tony Blair, will be at the service
with Commonwealth leaders and 1,000 members of the public, chosen by
ballot.

The dinner is, in many ways, more significant.

It is the first time Camilla has dined with the Queen, a sign the
monarch may have decided to finally welcome the divorced mother of
two in from the cold.

Other meetings have so far been limited to large receptions.

Her inclusion is expected to lead to a flood of invitations,
including one to Prince William's 21st birthday in June.