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Queen appears with Kate, Camila at posh London store

Posted at 11:44 AM, Mar 01, 2012
and last updated 2012-03-01 11:46:43-05

LONDON (CBS News) - The Queen and a pair of future Queens, Catherine and Prince Charles's wife, Camilla, took part in a rare joint appearance Thursday.

The trio appeared at the luxury department store Fortnum and Mason.  It's part of the Queen's ongoing jubilee celebrations marking 60 years on the throne.

The store will send tea and biscuits to British troops serving in Afghanistan, who won't be able to join in the celebrations back home.

The brief visit is also something of a small-scale warm-up for Catherine, who will join the Queen and husband Prince Phillip at a much larger affair next week

This was the first time Catherine has accompanied the Queen at an official engagement without her husband, William by her side.

Prince William is on a tour of duty as a search and rescue pilot in the Falkland Islands off the coast of Argentina.

Catherine has been flying solo since he left one month ago, stepping into the spotlight to continue her royal duties.

However, the Queen rarely shares the stage, which made the appearance something special.

The event is seen as a royal seal of approval, that the Queen is comfortable with Catherine taking on a bigger role in representing the brand. Her Majesty was normally only seen with Princess Diana at big events.