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The Duchess of Cornwall turns on the Christmas lights in Tetbury near Highgrove

30th November 2006

The Duchess of Cornwall got into the festive spirit tonight as she turned on the Christmas lights in Tetbury, near Highgrove in Gloucestershire.

The Duchess was greeted by an enthusiastic crowd who watched her turn on the illuminations outside the town's market hall.

Tetbury Mayor Stephen Hirst said: "It's a fantastic night for Tetbury. This shows The Duchess is part of the Tetbury community.

"We are really pleased to see her enjoying a traditional Tetbury Christmas."

After flicking the switch to light up the town centre, The Duchess went on a tour of the local shops.

The Duchess chatted with well-wishers as she picked her way through the crowds thronging the streets of the picturesque town.

Jeremy Townsend, from the Chamber of Commerce, said it was a great chance for local residents to meet The Duchess.

He said: "It's a fantastic occasion and it is a chance for us to meet her and her to meet us."

The Duchess was presented with a bunch of roses by three-and-a-half-year-old Lula White, who asked if Prince Harry could come to her house for tea.

The Duchess smiled and told the girl: "I'll pass on the message. I will ask him for you."

Lula's mother, Samantha White, from Tetbury, said her daughter had been "very excited" about meeting Her Royal Highness.

She said: "Obviously she wanted Harry to come as well.

"She loves the Royal Family - whenever we go past Highgrove Lula always waves and says hello to Charles and Camilla."

The Duchess, wrapped up in a long green coat and boots, spent an hour walking through the town and visiting its shops.

She met the Tetbury Evening Women's Institute group, who earlier this year made her an Honorary Member.

The group's President, Judie Mason-Smith, said The Duchess was very interested in their mince pies.

She said: "The Duchess asked if the mince pies were homemade, which they are, and she took two home in a bag."

Her Royal Highness also sampled a sausage roll in Jesse Smith and Co's butchers and watched local children skate on a temporary artificial ice rink.

She also paid £1 to enter the Girl Guide group's guess the weight of the cake competition on their stall in the market.

The Duchess was waved off and given a round of applause by residents as she returned to Highgrove by car.