Woman with Camilla's life in her hands

A gun visible beneath her jacket, this is the armed female officer guarding the Duchess of Cornwall. The SAS-trained Scotland Yard officer was spotted as she shadowed Camilla at her second official engagement. It is rare for an officer from the elite royalty and diplomatic protection department to display their gun in public, as they are trained to be discreet.

But the unnamed plain-clothed officer also showed off her bleeper and another weapon - believed to be an extendable truncheon - when her jacket blew open as Camilla and Charles attended a memorial service in Aberdeen organised by the Gordon Highlanders Association Trust.

It is understood the woman officer is part of the "back-up" squad supporting Camilla's protection team, headed by Inspector Mark Andrews. Others on the team include the elite squad's first black officer, Sgt Les Turner.

It is understood Camilla - who now has round-the-clock armed protection paid for by the taxpayer - is finding it difficult to adapt to Scotland Yard's security regime.

But senior sources say she recognises this now "comes with the territory", particularly with the risk of an al Qaeda terror attack. The female officer is one of the very few women members of the elite department, which is seen as one of the most prestigious jobs in the Metropolitan Police.

Both Princess Diana and the Queen had been guarded by women. Diana was served by Chief Inspector Carol Quirk, who was part of the team headed by her personal protection officer Ken Wharfe. Known for her nononsense style, Miss Quirk was rapidly promoted and is now one of the Queen's top bodyguards.

Camilla's female officer is part of a pool of about 50 protection police

guards. They are trained in unarmed combat and are all crack shots.

Would-be protection officers have to undergo rigorous testing before being accepted on the training course. Part of the training involves three weeks at the SAS base in Hereford.

Until becoming engaged to C h a r l e s , Camilla was served by t w o unarmed r e t i r e d Scotland Yard officers paid for by the Prince.

But now she is a full member of the royal family, the bill is being picked up by the taxpayer and costs an estimated ?250,000 a year. It is understood that locals have even spotted increased police activity at Camilla's private residence, Ray Mill House in Calne, Wiltshire, which used to be her main base.

Camilla, who now lives with Charles in royal residences at Clarence House, Highgrove and Birkhall, is not expected to use her former house as frequently and the significant police presence is said to have surprised locals.

The officers are understood to be from the local Wiltshire force.