She’s
been blamed for many things in her life, but it’s very likely the first time
the Duchess of Cornwall has been implicated in the story of a highly-contagious stomach bug
which has struck down hundreds of holidaymakers.
Just weeks after Camilla heard the gasps of onlookers as, in a precursor of bad luck, the champagne bottle
failed to smash as she launched the Queen Victoria liner on December 10th, passengers who left
Southampton for a cruise on the latest Queen of the seas have been hit
by a severe vomiting bug.
All of which is a headline writer’s dream, prompting as it has mutterings about
a supposed 'Curse of Camilla'.
The highly-contagious stomach bug has affected around 78 passengers who paid
between between £1,100 and £24,400 to holiday aboard the ship.
The Queen Victoria left
Southampton for a 16-day cruise to the Canary islands just twenty-four hours after its royal
launch.
According to Cunard, at present around 25 holidaymakers continue to be struck down with the norovirus-type vomiting sickness.
It’s believed the virus was unwittingly carried aboard by a holidaymaker
who joined the liner after it left Southampton on December 11th.
Even before its launch at a ceremony which was also attended by Prince Charles, the £300-million vessel was
in the headlines for all the wrong reasons after the Queen was alleged to have
voiced her "surprise" at the decision to ask Camilla to launch the vessel which
is named in honour of Her Majesty’s great-great-great-grandmother.
Camilla isn't the first royal lady to be left looking sheepish during
the kind of engagement which is an integral part of royal life.
