CAMILLA Parker Bowles took a first deliberate step into the public arena yesterday, with the release of a specially taken photograph to mark her new official charity role.

The portrait of the woman in the life of the Prince of Wales, showing an enigmatic smile, was taken by a society photographer with definite royal associations of his own.

Sir Geoffrey Shakerley, married to the Queen's cousin, was selected by Mrs Parker Bowles for the session on behalf of the National Osteoporosis Society.

The society issued the picture yesterday when it made the long-expected announcement that one of its best-known supporters was to become one of its patrons ''with immediate effect''.

But as ever Mrs Parker Bowles, 48, was reluctant to appear to be courting the limelight. No event or appearance was arranged to accompany the announcement, and the society was not able to relay even the briefest of formal acceptances from its new patron.

The development is being seen as the first stage in an effort to raise Camilla Parker Bowles's profile after the Prince of Wales's admission of their long-term relationship.