Royal Watchers Abuzz Over First Public Kiss
L O N D O N, June 27 -- The Prince of Wales and his longtime lady friend, Camilla Parker Bowles, have shared their first public kiss, raising speculation among royal watchers that the heir to the British throne may marry again.
Parker Bowles greeted Prince Charles as he arrived at a reception Tuesday night for the Royal Osteoporosis Society in London, of which she is patron. The event marked the first time Prince Charles played second fiddle to Parker Bowles, as she hosted the event marking the 15th anniversary of the charity.
The prince arrived at the event accompanied by Queen Rania of Jordan and greeted Parker Bowles with a gentle kiss on both cheeks, accompanied by a warm "hello."
Public feelings have always been mixed over the relationship between Prince Charles and Parker Bowles. She became intensely unpopular when Princess Diana publicly blamed her for the breakup of her marriage.
But since the death of Diana in a car crash nearly four years ago, the public has thawed considerably, especially since Prince William, Charles' and Diana's elder son, appears to accept his father's relationship.
Most royal watchers have buzzing over the affectionate display but Ingrid Seward, editor in chief of Majesty magazine, thinks the kiss was not particularly extraordinary.
Quite the contrary, she noted that "had they not kissed, that would have been more significant." Seward thinks many royal watchers have over-reacted. "It is all rubbish, Camilla knows how to behave and that will always be [a greeting with] a kiss."
Bookmakers Cut Odds on Marriage
Nonetheless, British bookmakers slashed the odds today that the prince will marry Parker Bowles within the next two years. William Hill, one of England's top bookmakers, halved the odds from 10-1 to 5-1.
"Speculation has been rife for some while that they will eventually wed and we have taken plenty of bets on them doing so," spokesman Graham Sharpe told the Press Association.
"But a public kiss seems to move the possibility forward considerably, so we have cut the odds to reflect the increased likelihood of a royal wedding."
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