Camilla joins women's institute

Oct 6, 2006, 12:57 GMT

Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, has become an honorary member of the Scottish Women's Rural Institutes (SWRI).

Camilla - who is the wife of Britain's Prince Charles - joined the Ballater branch of the organization in Royal Deeside.

The organization, which once had the Queen Mother as an honorary member, hosts talks and holds demonstrations on a range of topics including art and computing.

Alison Bailey, the chairwoman of SWRI, told BBC.co.uk: "We hope that the duchess will take the opportunity to learn more about the traditions of rural Scotland through attendance at the SWRI meetings in Ballater. The meetings will also give her the opportunity to interact with the local community on an informal basis."

Camilla - whose official Scottish title is the Duchess of Rothesay - will not be entitled to pay the £10 annual membership fee, as, for an honorary member, it will be covered by the institute.

The royal recently visited Royal Deeside to participate in a 10-mile walk around Loch Muick to mark the start of National Osteoporosis Society's Big Bones Walks charity campaign.

(C) BANG Media International