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Camilla Parker Bowles visits Wightman Road Mosque, here's why her outfit could be controversial

Camilla went to the London Islamic Cultural Society at Wightman Road Mosque to see how the Muslim community helped those struggling in times of the pandemic and also a vaccination center

Camilla Parker Bowles, the Duchess of Cornwall, on Wednesday, April 7, visited the London Islamic Cultural Society at Wightman Road Mosque to see how the Muslim community has extended support to the needy during the pandemic. The UK has been one of the worst affected nations in the world and its economy has taken a heavy toll at a time when it has just separated from the European Union.

During her visit, Camilla Parker Bowles helped to prepare gift hampers that will be given to frontline National Health Service staff, the homeless and also refugee children during Ramadan, the holy month for the Muslims that is likely to begin next week depending on the sighting of the new moon. The royal member also visited the Lordship Lane Primary Care Centre ahead of the Covid-19 vaccine hub which is nearing its 50,000th jab. The UK has seen 4.3 million Covid-19 cases with the death toll crossing 127,000. 

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Camilla's slippers raises eyebrows

However, while Camilla wore a headscarf, an animal-print mask and a pair of fluffy black slippers to abide by its rules, there was also a controversy over the accessory she sported during her visit to the mosque. Nicki Swift reported citing People: "The Duchess' outfit looked incredibly chic, from her animal-print face mask and modest white headscarf down to her... fuzzy slippers?"

People added: "During the visit, she switched out of her heeled boots and into a pair of black fuzzy slippers with bow detail, in accordance with the mosque's rules. The casual footwear comes from U.K. brand Pour Moi, known for their undergarments, lingerie and swimwear selections. And at $34, the Diamante Trim Slipper is an affordable addition to anyone's loungewear collection."

The 73-year-old duchess was all praise for the vaccination center and said: “I’ve visited quite a few vaccination centres and I never cease to be impressed at all the work everyone is doing.” She added: “They (the volunteers and staff) are absolute stars, we couldn’t do it without them.”

Camilla's visit praised

Adam Jogee, the mayor of Haringey where Camilla went, was elated over the royal visit. “I’m thrilled that Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Cornwall was in attendance to see the fantastic community engagement and vaccination work being done by our NHS staff, volunteers and communities.”

“It’s a shot in the arm, in more ways than one too, for everybody who lives and works here after a truly tough 12 months or so,” he added. 

Wightman Road Mosque authorities were also happy over the duchess’s visit. Bibi Khan, the president of the mosque, said Camilla’s visit was a “further step” in the mosque’s growth and “another chance to display our values of hope, peace, community, harmony, and goodwill to humankind”.

“In trying times, as we are in now, a visit from HRH is a welcome boost to our community,” Khan said, adding: “It also highlights just how much work is being done to provide for, and help, our community.”

She met children and watched them play before helping the volunteers prepare the food hampers. She also interacted with the volunteers about their work and signed the mosque’s visitors’ book. On the occasion, Camilla also unveiled a plaque commemorating her visit to the Islamic society.

The philanthropic initiative was taken by a small group of Guyanese Muslims who came together to serve their community in Haringey and its surrounding boroughs. The mosque has played a bigger role in times of the pandemic by means of distributing food hampers and giving counseling and advice to those struggling in these hard times. The Islamic society is Haringey’s first purpose-built mosque and has come up with a Covid-19 vaccination center to encourage people who are reluctant to take the jab. 

Camilla’s father-in-law Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, died on Friday at the age of 99.