Camilla accepts patronage

Oct 19, 2006, 16:32 GMT

Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, has expanded her charity work by becoming a patron of an orthopaedic centre.

The royal - married to Britain's Prince Charles - is already President of the Osteoporosis Society but now she has taken on a new role as Patron of the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre NHS Trust.

Joanna Foster, Chair of the hospital, said: "We are delighted and honoured that the Duchess of Cornwall has accepted our invitation to become our patron. Her keen interest in our work, in particular our clinical research and treatment of osteoporosis arthritis and other musculoskeletal and disabling conditions is very inspiring."

The duchess has previously visited the hospital on two occasions and in 2003 she officially opened the Botnar Research Centre.

Earlier this year, Camilla came under fire after reportedly refusing to perform the number of public engagements expected of a royal, and there have been allegations of blazing rows between her and the prince concerning the issue.

Since this criticism, Camilla has stepped-up her royal duties. She recently became an honorary member of the Scottish Women's Rural Institutes in Royal Deeside and last month took part in a 10-mile walk around Loch Muick, in Scotland, to launch the Osteoporosis Society's Big Bones Walks charity campaign.

(C) BANG Media International