Queen Camilla cut a striking figure in a black pantsuit as she attended day two of the MARS Badminton Horse Trials in Gloucestershire today. The Queen, 79, was all smiles as she arrived at the racecourse on Friday for what is known as the 'pinnacle of the worldwide horse trials calendar'.
King Charles's wife dressed up a crisp white shirt, teaming it with a black blazer and matching trousers, as well as suede trainers for the equestrian event. The royal kept her makeup fresh and dewy and carried a navy handbag, appearing in high spirits after returning from her and Charles's landmark state visit to the US last month.
Camilla later awarded rosettes to members of the Ebony Horse Club on day two of the five-day event that ends on Sunday. Earlier in the day, Charles and Camilla wished Sir David Attenborough a happy 100th birthday after congratulatory messages poured in for the beloved environmentalist all week. The King and Queen shared a carousel of photographs of Sir David on the official royal family Instagram account.
It comes after Camilla said she was 'deeply honoured' to receive the fan from her official coronation portrait to commemorate her historic crowning. Camilla opened The Fan Museum's new Monarchy exhibition in Greenwich, south-east London, yesterday in her role as its patron. She revealed how she could not wait to see the specially-made creation, describing it as 'so beautiful' and saying she would use it on 'special occasions'.
The fan features the Queen's favourite flowers, butterflies, and her birthday star constellation, as well as a dragonfly which represents George and the Dragon. The visit took place the day after the third anniversary of the King and Queen's coronation, which saw the monarch and his consort crowned and anointed in a deeply religious ceremony in Westminster Abbey on May 6, 2023.
The new fan was shown to the Queen by artist Paul Benney, whose official full-length coronation portrait of Camilla was unveiled last year and features her holding a closed fan. The painted fan was not part of the official clothing for the coronation and took around three years to make, meaning this was the first time Camilla had seen the creation. She told Mr Benney: 'It is so beautiful. I shall use it on very special occasions. I am deeply honoured to have it.'
The piece was made by Frederick Gay, France's master fan maker, and commissioned by Peter Dove, former master of The Worshipful Company of Fan Makers, which works to promote the work of traditional and modern fan making.
Earlier this week, the Queen joined King Charles, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, and Princess Anne in hosting Buckingham Palace's first royal garden party this season. The King was complimented on his speech to Congress during his four-day visit to the United States last month, as he and the Queen celebrated emergency responders during the garden party.
Grey skies did not dampen the spirits of the 8,000 guests who wore colourful dresses, lounge suits, and national dress as they gathered to enjoy tea, cakes, and sandwiches at a party attended by all working royals except the Prince and Princess of Wales. The Queen wore a pastel blue embroidered coat dress by Fiona Clare, paired with a matching blue hat by Philip Treacy and a moonstone and diamond brooch.
The royals made their way down lines of invitees, shaking their hands, asking about their work, greeting service dogs, and pointing guests in the direction of the tea tent. The King was complimented on his speech to Congress during his US state visit last week. A guest told him: 'I loved your speech in America. It was amazing, and it made me laugh so much.' 'Thank you very much,' Charles replied, with a laugh.
Meanwhile, the Queen met representatives from charitable organisations, including domestic abuse charity SafeLives, of which she is patron. The organisation, which delivers training to professionals and first responders, as well as support to survivors, is one of many Camilla has supported in her work to highlight victims of assault, rape, and sexual abuse. Speaking to trustee Elizabeth Hughes, the Queen said the charity is doing 'such a fantastic job,' adding: 'I'm so pleased, because it's really taken off and I'm very, very pleased to be a part of it.'
Wednesday's event was the first of three garden parties that will be held at Buckingham Palace this month to celebrate those who serve the community. A fourth garden party will be hosted at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh, in June.
