Via Clarence House
Sorry for my lateness again! Wednesdays are a really busy day for me and yesterday I had a headache. The Princess of Wales had a couple of engagements on Wednesday and Thursday, including a date night with her Prince.
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On Wednesday, to mark the centenary of Royal Academy of Dance ― to which she’s vice-patron ―, Camilla visited the V&A Museum in London. She was given a tour of the ‘On Point: Royal Academy of Dance at 100’ exhibition by Eleanor Fitzpatrick (Archives and Records Manager at the RAD) and Jane Pritchard (Curator of Dance, Theatre and Performance at the V&A).
The Royal Academy of Dance says:
The Duchess had the opportunity to see costumes from some of the most famous dancers to grace the stage, such as Dame Darcey and Rudolf Nureyev, as well as an array of artefacts chronicling 100 years of dance history and the RAD’s role in the development of British ballet. The Duchess, who is a keen advocate for dance and recently spoke about how she takes the RAD’s Silver Swans classes, had the opportunity to pose at the ballet barre installed as part of the display with Darcey Bussell.
Dame Darcey Bussell commented: “I was honoured to join The Duchess of Cornwall and Angela Rippon on a zoom call last year to announce Her Royal Highness as Vice-Patron of the Royal Academy of Dance. It was therefore very special to be able to join HRH today as we marked her first official engagement for the Academy. It was wonderful to see The Duchess take such an interest in this display marking 100 years of the RAD.”
Speaking of the visit, Luke Rittner CBE, RAD Chief Executive said: “We announced HRH The Duchess of Cornwall’s role as Vice-Patron of the Royal Academy of Dance last year, which was when the Academy officially turned 100. As we continue to mark this milestone, it is very fitting for Her Royal Highness to learn more about our rich history through this display at the V&A. We were absolutely thrilled to be able to give The Duchess this special tour of the display, particularly as we celebrate the reopening of museums and theatres, as well as the return to dance classes across the UK.”
Dame Monica Mason DBE, RAD Vice President also commented: “It was a pleasure to welcome HRH The Duchess of Cornwall to the RAD’s centenary display. I find it hugely inspiring to look back on 100 years of the Royal Academy of Dance, who I first started learning to dance with, and I hope that The Duchess was equally inspired.”
The Academy received its Royal Charter from King George V in 1936. The following year, the RAD was awarded its coat of arms by the College of Arms. The Academy is proud to have Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as its Patron and HRH The Duchess of Cornwall as Vice-Patron.
The Royal Academy of Dance continues to mark its centenary, looking back on 100 years of teaching the world to dance and boldly forward to the next 100 years, including a move to a new, state-of-the-art headquarters which is scheduled to formally open in spring 2022. This new home for dance will enable the RAD to expand on its mission to bring dance to more people in more places, and serve our local community.
Last year Her Royal Highness revealed that she started to take online ballet dances with her friends to keep fit, so it was clearly a fun engagement to her.
Clarence House adds that The Duchess also visited the Raphael Court where Her Royal Highness viewed the Raphael Cartoons, lent to the V&A from the Royal Collection by Her Majesty The Queen. The Duchess of Cambridge made the same tour last month.
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On Thursday, Her Royal Highness toured the Garden Museum in London ahead of British Flowers Week. Clarence House describes it:
The annual British Flowers Week festival is run in collaboration with New Covent Garden Flower Market. It is an annual, national celebration of the wealth and variety of British cut flowers, plants and foliage. The week aims to showcase great British floristry and talent in floral design, raise awareness of which British flowers are in season when, and encourage the public to buy more British flowers.
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Shane Connelly, Royal Florist, accompanied Her Royal Highness for a tour which was designed around the theme ‘Healing’, before meeting the florists who created these amazing displays. Camilla also had the opportunity to tour the museum’s new exhibition, Constance Spry and Fashion for Flowers, curated by Shane Connolly.
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The Duchess was particularly touched at a bouquet she received which contained rosemary, a sign of remembrance. Thursday would be Prince Philip’s 100th birthday, while today is her father’s 15th death anniversary. She commented, “I’m thrilled to be here today. It would have been the birthday of the Duke of Edinburgh and tomorrow would be the day of the death of my father, and I’m very honoured to be here today, doing something I know they would have appreciated.”
The Princess of Wales told the florists that “there is nothing she enjoys doing more than picking and arranging flowers, and she loves this time of year when everything comes out at once,” according to the Daily Mail.
Camilla’s brief speech:
I’d really like to thank all of you who grow, plant and decorate places with flowers. It makes such a difference to people’s lives. I think that a life without flowers would be unbearable.
As a passionate gardener myself and somebody who loves arranging flowers, I try as much as I can, when I have time, to do all the flowers for our houses... It takes me ages but I do love it more than anything in the world.
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During this visit The Duchess of Cornwall met Floral Angel’s volunteers, to which she’s patron. The charity repurposes donated flowers from events to hospices, shelters and care homes throughout London.
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To finish Thursday, Charles and Camilla had a lovely date night. It’s by following everyday engagements that you can see how compatible they are, engagements like one for flowers that Camilla carried during daytime is something that Charles would love to be part of as well. It makes me remember what Katy Perry spoke about Prince Charles during a British Asian Trust reception last year, “In my own personal experience, he has an incredibly kind soul — so kind that yes, sometimes he talks to his plants. And he asked me if I would sing to his plants. And I will in the future. You have my word, sir.”
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But on to the night’s engagement, The Prince and Princess of Wales celebrated the recently reopened Royal Opera House by watching a performance of ‘Balanchine and Robbins’.
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After the performance Their Royal Highnesses joined a reception to meet with dancers and Royal Opera House staff.
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Now, for what she wore to Wednesday’s engagement. I don’t think the pale blue dress has been identified, but she has a similar design by Bruce Oldfield, so my guess it’s that it’s their design.
For the three engagements, the rest of her outfit remained the same:
Clarence House
She carried her Bottega Veneta bag named ‘Intrecciato small leather shoulder bag’. It’s currently unavailable. Selfridges’ description:
Bottega Veneta’s Intrecciato weave is just so versatile, isn’t it? It works on every bag the brand uses it on. This one is covered in the technique, and it even reaches inside too. It doesn’t just look good, though — it’s functional as well. It’s got two roomy main compartments with a zip pocket in each, and there are a couple of ways you can carry it — with the top carry handles, or over your shoulder with the strap.
Regarding jewelry, The Duchess turned to pieces she has been wearing for almost a year by now. The earrings are her usual pearl ones. The gold necklace is Jens Hamsen’s ‘
Golden Kiwi’ (NZ$1,390). It was gifted by the Mayor of Nelson to Her Royal Highness during a tour in 2015. She has been wearing it frequently since last year. The description:
Jens Hamsen
The Golden Kiwi pendant is a beautiful stylised interpretation of the national symbol of New Zealand, the rare flightless Kiwi bird.
She usually pairs it with another much-loved necklace as she did today, the ‘
Apollo Mini Blue Topaz and Diamond Pendant in White Gold’ (£1,916.67) by Kiki McDonough. I personally believe it was a gift by The Duchess of Cambridge, who also frequently buys Kiki, and as it was first seen around Camilla’s birthday. It’s an exquisite 18ct White Gold and Diamond intricate circle pendant encasing a beautiful Blue Topaz stone. The delicate design has been crafted to ensure maximum sparkle.
Fitbit
It’s also possible to spot The Duchess’ faithful Fitbit’s ‘
Charge 4’ ($129.95), along with her usual bracelets, which aren’t identified. I believe that her usual colour isn’t available in the site anymore, so the photo below doesn’t represent her actual watch. The description:
Take your goals further with a health & fitness tracker that packs built-in GPS for pace and distance, 24/7 heart rate tracking and more into a comfortable wristband.
Her shoes are unidentified as well.
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Camilla wore a Fiona Clare vibrant dress for the daytime engagements.
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For the evening, she changed into another Fiona Clare dress, this time with snowdrops.
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The Royal Family must be over the moon with the news of Lilibeth Diana Mountbatten-Windsor’s birth. She’s one week old today. In an engagement this week, Prince Charles remarked, “(...) having recently become a grandfather for the fifth time. Such happy news really does remind one of the necessity of continued innovation in this area (...)”
Chris Allerton/The Duke and Duchess of Sussex
In their social media, Clarence House said: “Congratulations to Harry, Meghan and Archie on the arrival of baby Lilibet Diana 🎊 Wishing them all well at this time.”
Huge congratulations to all the family!
Another post is coming soon to cover the engagements that happened today.
