DUCHESS OF CORNWALL RED-FACED AFTER HOLIDAY LIGHT MISHAP

THE DUCHESS OF CORNWALL HAS CONTINUED HER AMAZING RUN OF UNFORTUNATE MISHAPS AT ROYAL ENGAGEMENTS AS SHE STRUGGLED TO SWITCH ON THE HOLIDAY LIGHTS AT BRITAIN'S OLDEST SHOPPING ARCADE. THE DUCHESS WAS INVITED TO ILLUMINATE CENTRAL LONDON'S EXCLUSIVE BURLINGTON ARCADE AND MEET SOME OF THE SHOPKEEPERS IN THE HISTORIC COVERED THOROUGHFARE, WHICH OPENED IN 1819. BUT AFTER A BOISTEROUS COUNTDOWN FROM SHOPPERS, WHEN SHE WENT TO TURN ON THE LIGHTS BY PULLING A ROPE WAIT A LARGE ORNATE GOLD TASSEL, THE TASSEL CAME OFF IN HER HAND AND THE DECORATIONS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE BLUNDER WAS MET WITH HOWLS OF LAUGHTER FROM THE CROWD OF GUESTS, WHILE THE DUCHESS LOOKED AROUND SHEEPISHLY WITH A BROAD GRIN ON HER FACE. THE ROW OF 19 GEOMETRIC LIGHT SCULPTURES WHICH LINED THE ARCADE'S ROOF EVENTUALLY LIT UP AFTER A BRIEF DELAY TO THE CHEERS FROM THE CROWD. THE EMBARRASSMENT FOLLOWS SEVERAL OTHER INCIDENTS IN WHICH THE DUCHESS HAS BEEN LEFT RED-FACED AT OPENING CEREMONIES. IN 2007, THE DUCHESS FAILED TO SMASH THE BOTTLE OF CHAMPAGNE AT THE NAMING OF THE QUEEN VICTORIA CRUISE LINER. EARLIER THIS YEAR, SHE WAS ALSO REDUCED TO HYSTERICS WHEN SHE BROKE A PLAQUE AT AN UNVEILING CEREMONY FOR A HOMELESS CHARITY IN PLYMOUTH. AFTER THE LIGHTING CEREMONY, THE DUCHESS SPENT MORE THAN AN HOUR CHATTING TO THE OWNERS AND MANAGERS OF STORES AT BURLINGTON ARCADE, WHICH SELLS A WIDE RANGE OF LUXURY ITEMS FROM CASHMERE GOODS TO DIAMOND JEWELRY.