The true purpose behind the recent visit to the United States by Prince Charles plus his meeting there with President Obama was revealed in a short statement issued by Clarence House yesterday. It states simply that Prince Charles and his second wife The Duchess of Cornwall(Camilla) have decided to take up permanent residence abroad from August 2011.
The idea of the move abroad was apparently first discussed between Charles and Camilla following the announcement of William and Kate's engagement back in November 2010. Many will take this latest announcement, coming so soon after William and Kate's wedding, to mean Charles and Camilla are now preparing to give up their rights to the throne to leave the positions vacant for William and Kate. However, it has to be stressed there is no specific mention of abdication in the Clarence House statement.
There is word from within the palace that Camilla would not agree to the move abroad unless Charles first spoke with President Obama about it. The Duchess of Cornwall is believed to have raised concerns with Charles over recent reports of violence in the area of the property where they plan to make their new home. However, it seems the location of their intended new home abroad is not actually in the United States at all but is to be a large house that only recently came onto the market in Pakistan at the garrison town of Abbottabad!
