Queen Camilla unveiled a remarkable family fashion connection during her royal engagement in the historic city of Bath today. The 78-year-old monarch visited Bath's Theatre Royal, where she observed part of a technical rehearsal for a community production of David Copperfield, engaging with approximately 100 regional participants involved in the performance.
Museum Tour and Personal Revelations
Her Majesty received a guided tour of the Holburne Museum, viewing an exhibition of memorable prints by acclaimed photographer Sir Don McCullin. McCullin was a close friend of Camilla's late brother, Mark Shand, who passed away in 2014. As Camilla explored the Zandra Rhodes: A Life in Print exhibition with curator Rosemary Harden, she shared a personal anecdote that surprised many.
'My sister had a wedding dress made by Zandra Rhodes,' the Queen candidly revealed. Camilla's sister, Annabel Elliot, married the late Simon Elliot, a Dorset landowner and son of Air Chief Marshal Sir William Elliot, in 1972. The couple shared three children together.
Zandra Rhodes' Royal Connections
This revelation highlights another royal link for the 85-year-old British designer, renowned for her innovative concepts and vibrant hair. Rhodes famously dressed the late Princess Diana during the early years of her royal life. Their professional relationship began in 1981 when Diana, accompanied by Sarah Ferguson, visited Rhodes' London boutique shortly after her engagement to the then-Prince of Wales.
Following their browsing session, Rhodes received an unexpected call from British Vogue requesting a design submission for Diana's royal wedding dress. Although Rhodes' black corset sketch was not selected for the wedding, it eventually became owned by another famous Diana—Diana Ross. Rhodes and Princess Diana collaborated on five occasions before the princess's tragic death in August 1997.
Exhibition Highlights and Design Philosophy
During her Bath visit, Camilla was shown several of Rhodes' iconic flowing dresses, including a 1972 green silk chiffon outfit printed with a field of lilies, originally worn by Bianca Jagger, daughter of Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger. Curator Rosemary Harden explained Rhodes' unique design approach.
'Dame Zandra is a printer, so her thing is that the print leads the dress,' Harden shared. 'It's the yardage of the fabric which dictates the style of the dress. She's rare in that most designers cut into cloth. She's a genius with colour and pattern, and that is unique, everyone else goes with cut.'
Community Engagement and Cultural Exploration
At the Theatre Royal Bath, Camilla visited the unique studio theatre that aims to provide local residents with greater access to performing arts at reduced costs. She also toured the recently completed Schroder Gallery. Outside, clutching a bouquet of flowers, the Queen greeted well-wishers who had gathered to see her, smiling warmly as she walked through Bath's historic streets.
In an effort to deepen her understanding of local culture, Camilla visited Persephone Books, an independent publisher and bookshop founded in Bath. Dressed elegantly in white, she listened attentively to staff members as they discussed their literary work and its impact on the community.
Literacy Advocacy and Recent Initiatives
This visit follows closely after Her Majesty opened the 200th 'Coronation Library' for primary school pupils in Camden, north London. This initiative forms a key part of the living legacy commemorating Their Majesties' accession to the throne. As patron of the National Literacy Trust, Camilla has made reading encouragement a cornerstone of her public work.
During the school visit, which occurred during a turbulent period for the Royal Family, Camilla appeared delighted to see young students enthusiastic about the new library. 'So you all enjoy reading then? How brilliant. And are you all budding librarians then?' she asked pupil librarians from various local primary schools participating in a classroom workshop. 'Thank you so much for sharing your stories with me.'
This event marked the first Coronation Library to open in a school during the 2026 National Year of Reading, a collaborative initiative between the Department of Education and the National Literacy Trust.
