Queen Camilla praises ‘absolutely incredible’ poetry recital by children and their care home resident grandparents as she returns to London after Balmoral break

• Camilla, 76, listened to a poetry recital from children, saying it was ‘incredible’
• READ MORE: King Charles and Queen Camilla present new colour to the Royal Guard to mark His Majesty’s first summer holiday in Balmoral as monarch

Queen Camilla joined children and the elderly for a poetry recital and tea party in Ealing earlier today.

The event, held at Fielding Primary School on Tuesday, was part of the Poetry Together initiative.

Poetry Together was launched in 2019 by broadcaster Gyles Brandreth in partnership with Dukes Education and National Poetry Day.

The royal, 76, who famously loves literature, was snapped beaming during the event which comes after her Summer break in Balmoral.

For the appearance, Camilla, donned a long-sleeved midi length dress, featuring a peacock feather print comprising rich blues, greens, and amber.

Queen Camilla was snapped beaming today as she attended the poetry recital and tea party at Fielding Primary School in west London

The royal appeared to be enjoying herself as she posed with children from the school in Ealing at the poetry-focused event 

The shirt dress, which paired a classic silhouette with elegant design touches like subtle puff sleeves, was cinched in at the waist with a co-ordinating fabric belt.

Accessorising her frock, Camilla opted for a pair of low-heeled pumps, in a subtle amber tone that matched the accents in the print of her dress.

The royal, who was recently praised for her ‘joy at wearing jewellery’ by former Vogue editor Suzy Menkes, sported a few carefully chosen pieces.

Among them was a pair of dangly gold statement earrings, crafted in the shape of fish. 

It is thought they were made by jeweller Lalaounis, and their estimated value has previously been reported as between £15,000-£20,000.

The queen also sported a selection of necklaces and gold bangles to complete her outfit, including her blue Alhambra Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet, which she has been seen wearing on numerous occasions.

Meanwhile, her trademark very light blonde bob was styled into soft waves, and she opted for a fresh, classic make-up look.

During the proceedings today, children and their grandparents gathered at the school’s assembly hall to recite a variety of poems from memory.

Camilla, who described the recital as ‘absolutely incredible’ seemed to be enjoying the event very much, as she was photographed smiling and clapping

Queen Camilla (pictured) looked fresh faced and elegant as she attended the event in Ealing, west London today

Broadcaster Gyles Brandreth (pictured, right) launched Poetry Together in 2019 by  in partnership with Dukes Education and National Poetry Day. He attended today’s event

Queen Camilla (pictured, right) is snapped laughing with poet Roger McGough (pictured, left) during the event today

One group of schoolchildren and their grandparents recited Mary Howitt’s 1829 poem The Spider And The Fly for the queen.

Camilla said their performance was ‘absolutely incredible’.

‘Brilliant, that was absolutely incredible,’ she said.

‘It’s a long poem to remember.’

After watching the recitals, Camilla presented participants with certificates.

She then joined two performers dressed as Alice and the Mad Hatter on stage to cut a cake baked at Buckingham Palace.

Introducing the honey and cream sponge cake, Brandreth said that the queen had brought it with her. 

Camilla and Gyles Brandreth joined children and care home residents on stage for the Poetry Together recital today

Performers dressed as Alice (Hannah Griggs) and the Mad Hatter (Rory Brandreth-McConnachie) joined the royal on stage to cut a cake for the tea party

Hannah Griggs (pictured, left) and Rory Brandreth-McConnachie (pictured, right) help the queen (pictured, middle) cut a cake for the tea party

Gyles Brandreth (pictured, right) who launched Poetry Together in 2019 by in partnership with Dukes Education and National Poetry Day appeared to enjoy entertaining attendees 

POETRY LOVERS: According to Gyles Brandreth (pictured, left), he has ‘always loved poetry’. Meanwhile, Camilla (picture, right) is a famous lover of literature

‘I didn’t bake it,’ she said, to laughter from the audience.

She then stood up to cut the cake.

As well as performances by children and the elderly, the Queen watched a recital by poet Roger McGough.

She then attended a tea party in the school, where she met care home residents involved in the scheme.

Speaking at the event, Brandreth said he had ‘always loved poetry’.

‘I have always loved poetry, since I was a very young boy and began learning poetry as a very young boy,’ he said.

‘I am still learning poetry.

During the event today, the royal (pictured, right) officially opened the library at the school in Ealing, west London

BEAMING: The smiling royal (pictured, centre) was snapped speaking to Baroness Dame Floella Benjamin

During the poetry recital engagement today, the royal met with a number of children and care home residents

Among those reciting their poems at the event was Benjamin Andrews (pictured, left) who read his poem about a family member with cancer

‘The poem I’m learning at the moment is quite a short one it’s a limerick.

‘There was a young man from Peru.

‘Whose limericks stopped at line two.’

Poetry Together encourages schoolchildren and the elderly to come together and recite poetry.

Since its foundation, more than 800 care homes and schools have participated in the initiative.

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