Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, has decided she wants to spend more time on her yacht during her official Caribbean tour with husband Prince Charles.


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The 60-year-old royal, who has been staying on the 246ft Leander yacht with husband Charles, has sparked controversy with her plan as it means she will miss out on over a quarter of the couple’s official engagements.

One aide told the Daily Express: “Camilla is exhausted. She wants to rest on the yacht to prepare for her other duties when she gets back home.”

Camilla’s decision has also angered British taxpayers’ as they are paying for the 11-day royal trip, which includes the hire of the yacht, usually costing UKP320,000-a-week.

Matthew Elliott of the Taxpayer’s Alliance said: “Since taxpayers are picking up the tab for much of the trip, many will find it surprising she is not attending more than 10 out of the 44 scheduled functions.”

The couple are today (07.03.08) travelling to St Lucia to meet some of the island’s finest chocolatiers and find out how they produce some of the world’s best confectionaries.