Queen Camilla in stitches as royal fan shows off unusual tribute on body
Queen Camilla saw the funny side as she met a royal fan who has had her royal cypher tattooed on his leg - and revealed that one of her police officers has one too. Phil Smith, 61, from Northampton pulled up his shorts to show Her Majesty his latest royal inking, telling her that it had "bloody hurt", prompting her to laugh uproariously.
She then turned to one of her police protection officers and said: "Look, he's got one too." Mr Smith said afterwards that he had been writing to Camilla since before her marriage to the King as he thought 'she was great' and that she frequently responded.
He has a total of four large tattoos along the outer side of his left leg, starting with Queen Elizabeth's royal cypher and including both Charles and Camilla's individual ones.
His latest - situated on the top of his thigh - is of their joint royal cypher and took about an hour and a half to do. He waited at the front of the crowd at the Sandringham Flower Show today to show the Queen.
He said after their meeting: "I just think she's fabulous and have got to know her a bit. We just hit it off. I love the R oyal Family and she in particular has got a good sense of humour. She frequently responds. I waited to see her to show her my latest [tattoo] and she laughed. She said one of her security men has also had it done too."
He said he thought it was of their joint royal cypher and the police officer was there with her that day. He added: "Honestly, she's just great. We exchange letters. She knew who I was. She asked how long it [the latest one] took and I told her about two and a half hours. But I told her this one bloody hurt. She just finds it hilarious. She pulled her police officer's sleeve and said 'look, it's catching on!'"
The King and Queen made their annual visit to the Sandringham Flower Show held in the grounds of the Norfolk royal residence, where they marvelled at exhibits, toured stands and met hundreds of well-wishers in their final large scale joint public engagement before they begin their summer holidays. The event attracts around 20,000 visitors each year.
They arrived in Queen Victoria's Carriage- a special doorless carriage - to be greeted by committee members and presented with flowers by Isabelle Franklin, seven, who won the 2023 Under 11's Cup and her brother, Jack, who won last year's 11-15 age group. A choir and band from Springwood High School also sang the National Anthem.
Looking relaxed in a smart suit alongside his wife, who wore a black and white flower print dress, Charles, 76, seemed delighted to be there again after being forced to miss last year's event due to his cancer treatment. Many in the crowds commented on how delighted they were to see him back.
The King asked one young winner about what she had won her cup for, telling her: "I must say it's very impressive. And at least you've now had some rain."
The couple first stopped off at Peter Beales Roses, where they were both presented with beautiful blooms by Olivia Bell, ten, and Camilla sympathised about the recent warm weather being a horror for keen gardeners like themselves. "Oh the weather, everything is wilting!" she exclaimed. "At least it [the rain] has come at the right time."
Camilla, 77, chatted happily about her new Battersea rescue puppy, Moley, who didn't accompany her last week on a visit to the famous dogs and cats rescue centre in London after seeing a display of dog-themed cakes.
"I'm sorry we couldn't bring Moley to the engagement last week," she said. Asked whether it has just been too hot, she replied: "Well yes, and she's very naughty. I think I only have one shoe left. Those are the best ones." "I think it's called character," she was told and smiled. Outside huge crowds clapping, and occasionally giving three cheers for the king, had gathered to greet them. "I'm so proud of you," said one well-wisher to him.
Another gave him flowers with a big card on saying his name. "For me? Oh thank you," the king said, delighted. Another told him: "Lovely to see you back here." Lewis Kirkby handed the King a card and told him: "It's an invitation to our wedding. Do come!" Accompanied by his fiancé, Lisa Moore, he said afterwards that they were getting married in Kent on July 31.
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