Sep 15, 2006, 15:49 GMT
Britain's Prince Charles has sparked controversy by announcing plans for an official visit without his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall.
Charles - who will be accompanied by his wife Camilla next month when he takes "one of the most dangerous trips of his life" to Pakistan - has apparently decided to visit Nigeria alone.
The decision has re-ignited the debate about Camilla's lack of involvement in official royal duties.
However, a royal source has insisted the duchess' limited involvement is not down to lack of interest in royal affairs, but the reluctance of royal courtiers to allow Camilla her official rights as Charles' wife.
The duchess has reportedly been refused her own official secretary - a privilege enjoyed by the late Princess Diana during her marriage to Charles.
The source told Britain's Daily Mail newspaper: "Camilla does have three assistant private secretaries but they are three old friends. Really, they are glorified PAs."
The insider also claims that when a Clarence House official suggested the possibility of Camilla having a personal secretary, the prince's staff responded: "We're not going down that route again."
(C) BANG Media International
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