The Prince of Wales and Mrs Camilla Parker Bowles last night stepped out in public together for the first time as a couple. Side by side, they left a birthday party at London's Ritz hotel in the full glare of the world's media.
It was a bold - and intentional - statement of their relationship, signalling that it is now "official".
With his right hand in his pocket, the Prince appeared cautious as he led Mrs Parker Bowles towards a waiting chauffeur-driven car.
Mrs Parker Bowles, dressed in black, smiled as she took centre stage before the world's media. Not since the days of the Princess of Wales had so many photographers, TV crews and reporters gathered to record a royal event.
Before last night, Prince Charles (50) and Mrs Parker Bowles (51) had gone to great lengths to avoid being seen, or photographed together, in public. By "coming out" as a couple, they appear to be attempting to regularise their relationship.