Camilla Parker-Bowles has had a hectic week with a flurry of royal engagements taking her across the UK.
On Wednesday the Duchess of Cornwall was back in London for the official launch of The Royal Osteoporosis Society, which she has been patron of since 2001 – before marrying into the royal family.
For the event at the National Science Museum, the wife of Prince Charles stepped out in a chic black coat with white foral detail embroidered across the waist and cuffs.
The 71-year-old Duchess pinned one of her trademark brooches to the breast of the coat.
Camilla paired the statement piece with a layered pearl necklace and matching earrings, opting for a small black handbag to complete the look.
She kept her makeup simple and sedate with a touch of warm mauve lipstick.
As part of her patronage of the ROS, the Duchess gave a speech in which she shared her wish that her late mother could be with her to see the progress being made against osteoporosis.
Camilla’s mother Rosalind died from the fragile bone disease in 1994, and the Duchess revealed she is the same age now as her mother was when she passed away.
The launch comes 24 hours after the Duchess was taken aback by an excited fan who tried to hug her as she greeted scores of locals outside Liverpool’s Victoria Gallery and Museum.
According to UK newspaper the Express, Prince Charles’ wife initially ‘froze with shock’, and in keeping with royal protocol did not return the well-wishers’ hug, but smiled appreciatively and moved on to greet others.
With the fan’s embrace clearly just a loving act and not a security issue, Camilla had nothing to fear – but the non-traditional greeting perhaps came out of the blue for the stiff-upper-lip royal, who nonetheless didn’t seem too concerned.