CRATHIE, Scotland — Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall emerged from their honeymoon estate Sunday for a small church service attended by about 200 villagers who braved blustery winds to greet the royal newlyweds.
Driving into the Crathie Parish Church, Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles waved to crowds as they pulled their silver Audi off to the side of the chapel and entered, as locals waved and snapped pictures. Dozens of journalists also stood outside to catch a glimpse.
Prince Charles wore a tartan kilt. His bride wore a matching fuchsia hat and coat.
"I think she's lovely," said Lynn Hutchings, 56, a nurse who was visiting her sister in the Scottish highlands. "I didn't think he should marry her but I've changed my opinion."
Robbie Middleton, a lay preacher, delivered Sunday's sermon. The service focused on tuning into one's spirituality and did not refer to the wedding.
"I wish them every happiness and a fulfilled life together," Middleton said.
After the sermon, the crowd dispersed and the couple greeted villagers.
Denise Glover, a 61-year-old housewife, congratulated the prince. "I'm sure you'll be very happy." The prince replied, "Yes, she is a remarkable lady."
The duchess also shook hands with people before the couple returned to their honeymoon estate.
Their long-awaited wedding Saturday sanctioned a relationship that has spanned more than 30 years and that was blamed by some for breaking up the prince's marriage to the late Princess Diana, who died in a car accident in 1997.
Unlike Prince Charles' first honeymoon that was spent aboard a yacht in the Mediterranean, Charles and Camilla - officially the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay when they are in Scotland - are staying at Birkhall, a cozy hunting lodge he inherited from his grandmother.
The prince has described the early 18th-century home on the royal Balmoral estate as "a unique haven of coziness and character." He reportedly learned to fish in the River Muick, which flows at the bottom of Birkhall's sloping garden.
Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert, bought Birkhall in the 19th century and it became the Balmoral residence of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, who died in 2002, leaving it to Charles.
The prince's mother, Queen Elizabeth II, spent some of her honeymoon there after her marriage to Prince Philip. And Charles spent part of his honeymoon with Princess Diana in Scotland, following the cruise, but the late princess was said not to like the estate.
Prince Charles and his bride are expected to stay about 10 days on the estate.
-AP
By MICHAEL McDONOUGH
Associated Press Writer