Duchess of Cornwall 'looking forward' to seeing her grandchildren again
The Duchess of Cornwall opened up about how much she is looking forward to seeing her grandchildren once more, as she visited volunteers delivering the coronavirus vaccine in London.
Camilla, 73, is grandmother to the five sons and daughters of her children, and also has lots of royal step-grandchildren through her marriage to Prince Charles.
The duchess has spoken a few times throughout the coronavirus pandemic about her sadness of being separated from her grandchildren while the rules don't allow mixing between households.
On Tuesday 23 February she visited a vaccination hub in Wembley, and told people waiting for their jabs: "It feels like the first step of freedom, I certainly felt like that.”
She added: “I hope you’re able to be reunited with your grandchildren, I think we’re all looking forward to that!”
Camilla and her husband Prince Charles, 72, have both had the first of their coronavirus vaccines.
Camilla was in London in her role as president of the Royal Voluntary Service (RVS), to thank volunteers who are working on the rollout in the capital.
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Lucy Hubbard, a professional singer who has been volunteering at the Wembley centre since January, spoke to the duchess during her visit.
She said: "She asked me what I did and where I was volunteering and how it was going – we just had a nice chat.
“It’s been great to be part of something interesting and not sitting at home doing nothing.
“I get to contribute to society and be part of the solution.”
Sam Ward, deputy chief executive officer of the RVS, welcomed the duchess’ visit and said: “Each and every volunteer who stepped forward to support the NHS and their community is a hero in my eyes.
“We truly appreciate the continued efforts of our volunteers during the pandemic and as the vaccination programme moves forward.”
The Wembley site opened five weeks ago and more than 16,000 people have been vaccinated there so far.
Camilla has two children from her previous marriage to Andrew Parker-Bowles - Tom Parker-Bowles and Laura Lopes.
Tom Parker-Bowles has two children, Lola and Freddy, and Lopes has three, Eliza, and twins Gus and Louis.
Prince Charles has four grandchildren - William and Kate's children, Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte, and Harry and Meghan's son Archie.
He will become a grandfather for the fifth time later this year when Meghan has her second child.
When Camilla had to self-isolate in April 2020 after her husband caught coronavirus, she said not being able to hug her grandchildren was the hardest thing.
As things began to open up in June last year, she said it was a "great treat" to be able to see them - but was struggling with having to keep her distance.
The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall have been based in Wiltshire and Gloucestershire where they each have homes, travelling when necessary for engagements.
