Why Prince Charles was made to walk behind wife Duchess Camilla at royal engagement

Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla attended a royal engagement earlier this week. The heir apparent was required to walk behind his wife.

• Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall were seen attending a royal engagement yesterday.
• The heir apparent was required to walk behind his wife due to a royal protocol.
• In other royal news (opens in new tab), the Queen does something very special for her staff and friends every Christmas (opens in new tab).

Prince Charles and wife Duchess Camilla were seen attending a royal engagement yesterday.

The royal couple were out at Her Majesty’s Naval Base for the commissioning ceremony of the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales.

And while attending the event, the Duke of Cornwall, despite being first in line to the British throne, was required to walk behind his wife – and it’s all because of royal protocol.

While visiting the Portsmouth base, Prince Charles was made to walk behind wife Camilla as the Duchess played an important role in the aircraft’s commissioning as she will act as the £3.1 milion carrier’s Lady Sponsor.

Despite the aircraft being named after him, the Prince was accompanying Duchess Camilla to the event, so was made to walk behind her.

"The role of the lady sponsor is akin to being a godmother,” explained a Royal Navy spokeswoman, “attending significant events during the life of the ship and taking an interest not only in the ship's activities, but also the welfare of the ship's company.”

MORE: The very strange test everyone must pass to work for the Queen at Sandringham (opens in new tab)

Duchess Camilla wowed fans in her elegant outfit (opens in new tab) as she attended the special event.

The trendy royal didn’t let rain and wind dampen her immaculate sense of style, as she stepped out in an icy blue coat with a matching hat.

The frosty blue tone complemented her cool blonde her, giving her a chic winter look that’s straight out of a Disney film.

And paired with her black accessories she looked classic and elegant.

Now that is one killer winter look.