Queen Camilla held a glitzy reception tonight, the same day that King Charles returned to public work.
The Queen, 76, is Colonel of the Grenadier Guards and welcomed former soldiers and their families to Clarence House tonight for a reception, her first engagement as patron of the Colonel's Fund.
The fund supports Grenadiers who have suffered serious physical or mental injury while on operational service, and their families.
Her Majesty wore the jewelled Grenadier Guards badge that belonged to Queen Elizabeth II. The badge is set with diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and emeralds.
Queen Camilla held a reception at Clarence House
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The cypher of the badge is that of the late Queen’s father, King George VI.
Queen Camilla additionally wore a red Fiona Clare dress and her Russell and Bromley black suede boots.
This evening, Camilla paid tribute to a Grenadier Guardsman and posthumously awarded him a Victoria Cross.
The mother-of-two praised the bravery of Lance Corporal James Ashworth as she chatted to his parents, Duane and Caroline Ashworth, telling them: "I'm just full of admiration".
Queen Camilla talks with Mandy Bainbridge
PA
She said: "You must be so proud, for somebody to be awarded the Victoria Cross is something else. It's unbelievable, I read his citation and couldn't believe it."
The Colonel's Fund was established in 2007 and provides mobility aid, home improvements, employment training and counselling.
Matt Elmer, a retired Grenadier Guards Colour Sergeant, delivers services to those in need.
He said about the veterans whom he helps: "The key thing is they know I'm there.
Queen Camilla talks with Duane and Caroline Ashworth
PA
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Queen Camilla talks with Lance Corporal Scott Blaney
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"We want to get people back on their feet, so to speak.
"They might be fine but then they might have a dip but all they have to do is pick up the phone and I am there."
This event came as King Charles, 75, returned to public-facing work today as he met Rishi Sunak at Buckingham Palace.
They met for their weekly audience face-to-face for the first time since the monarch's cancer diagnosis.
