Camilla appears on the Queen's balcony

LONDON - Prince Charles's new wife Camilla has appeared for the first time on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, an iconic setting for royal appearances before the public.

Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, was taking part in her first Trooping the Colour ceremony as a member of the royal family to mark the Queen's official birthday.

During the procession Camilla rode in a carriage with her step-son Prince William.

In an annual ceremony dating back to the early 1700s, the queen inspected the red-coated troops of the Household Division on Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall.

The queen later joined Camilla and other members of the royal family on the palace balcony to watch a Royal Air Force flypast.

Camilla, blamed by many for Charles's split with the late Princess Diana, was for many years relegated to the sidelines of royal engagements before her marriage in April to the heir to the throne.

Camilla's appearance on the balcony will have been a "hugely significant moment" for her, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told Reuters.

"To stand there will be a total affirmation that she is now accepted as the second most senior female royal in the land and must take her position as such," Bond said.

- REUTERS