Queen Camilla admitted she was feeling “a little creaky” but was “still standing” during a visit to a dance academy on Wednesday.
The royal, 79, reunited with her ballet teacher during a visit to the Royal Academy of Dance’s global headquarters in London in her role as patron.
There, Camilla met ballerina and former Strictly Come Dancing judge Dame Darcey Bussell, who is president of the academy, as well as Sarah Platt, who once ran dance lessons for the Queen at Clarence House.
Sarah, a former teacher trainer at RAD who later set up a programme for older people of all abilities, asked Camilla how she was feeling.
King Charles‘s wife, who was on her first engagement back after a summer holiday in Balmoral Castle, responded: “I’m still standing!” and joked, “just!”. She added: “But I’m a little creaky.”
Camilla’s ballet dancing lessons!
Sarah created the RAD’s “Silver Swans” programme for over-55s and first met the Queen back in 2017 during an official engagement.
“She said, ‘I wouldn’t mind becoming a silver swan,’ and said her office would be in touch. I never thought they would be, but they did, and we started only a few months later,’ Sarah said.
© Getty Images“We’ve been doing the classes ever since. I go to Clarence House [her London home]. There’s normally around four of them, Her Majesty and a few friends or staff.”
Asked what she was like as a dancer, Sarah said: “She loves ballet, and she really gives it her all.”
The Queen, wearing a dress from Anna Valentine, hugged her teacher as they reunited before watching a class alongside fellow Silver Swans participant and broadcaster Angela Rippon.
Camilla also watched people taking part in the Fireflies Ballet Classes for those with cancer, which provides a safe space for personal reflection and healing.
© Getty ImagesShe told the participants: “It’s so uplifting. It gives you a bit of a buzz and makes you feel a lot better. I love it, and you were brilliant!” She added: “It’s absolutely the best thing.”
The late Queen Elizabeth II was previously Patron of the Royal Academy of Dance from 1953 until 2022, when she passed away. Camilla became its Patron in 2024.
Queen Camilla’s busy back-to-work schedule
The King and Queen have returned to work with a bang – resuming official engagements on Wednesday after their summer holiday in Scotland.
While Charles attended a garden party and hosted Pakistan’s National Cricket Team, Camilla visited the dance academy before reuniting with her husband in the evening.
© UK Press via Getty ImagesThe royal couple joined French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Andy Burnham to view the Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum. They were also joined by France’s first lady Brigitte Macron and Andy Burnham’s wife Marie-France van Heel.
On Thursday, Camilla visited the Ebony Horse Club in Brixton and even met 17-year-old Fell pony Taylor, who was regularly photographed being ridden by the late Queen’s groom Terry Pendry.
This means Taylor often rode out with Queen Elizabeth in Windsor Great Park towards the end of her life.
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