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 also has one too.
King Charles and the Queen were today attending 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.
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 her 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 to show the Queen.
Wearing a black shirt, large cross, denim shorts and sliders, Mr Smith 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 royal 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!’
Elsewhere today, Camilla appeared in great spirits as she petted a dog and admired the arrangements on display.
She looked elegant in a smart patterned dress from Fiona Clare with blue and white detailing, adding a bag from Rixo and her gold disc pendant necklace.
She and Charles also took part in a walkabout, greeting members of the public who had eagerly gathered in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the royals.
The event attracts around 20,000 visitors each year.
Their Majesties arrived in Queen Victoria’s Victoria – 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 well and relaxed in a smart suit alongside his wife, elegant in a black and white flower print dress, Charles, 76, looked 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.’
As the couple walked up and down one of the tents, examining the fruits, vegetables and flowers on display, Camilla, 77, walked up to have a look at the baked goods and cakes entrants.
‘Do you remember last time when we had the pie that looked like the King,’ she said. ‘Let’s see what they have this year.’
After seeing a display of dog-themed cakes, she also 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.
‘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.
Asked whether she liked growing her own vegetables at Raymill, her Wiltshire home, she said enthusiastically: ‘Yes, I do enjoy it. I’m very proud of my veg. It’s the best therapy in the world. We haven’t had any rain, though, [even though] it’s been raining here. I’ve never done so much watering in my life.’
Unfortunately for the Queen Thames Water announced a hosepipe ban for Wiltshire yesterday [July 22] with immediate effect.
She also got the giggles as she admired some of the miniature gardens on display as she chatted with the head judges.
‘Those ones down there are fabulous,’ she said.
‘Ah, well we couldn’t award [prizes] to those as they haven’t enough plants and greenery in them,’ she was told.
‘Good job I’m not judging then,’ the Queen chuckled.
She also seemed delighted when told by another judge that her ‘ husband has just been telling us how good you are at flower arranging’.
‘Well, I do enjoy it,’ she said. ‘I like to do all the flowers in the house.’
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.
‘You’ve got to at least ask,’ he explained.
In the Sandringham Women’s Institute Tent, of which Camilla is president, the couple bought handfuls of delicious-looking cakes including ginger, Victoria sponge and lemon drizzle.
The couple also popped into stalls run by the Cat’s Protection League, St John’s Ambulance and Medical Detection Dogs, of which the Queen is Patron.
She was given a toy Labrador while her husband affectionately stroked two real ones – Bobbin and Misty.
The King was given a guard of honour by the local Air Cadets and also wandered over to chat to Irene Lane after she shouted out how good it was to see him back there.
‘He said it’s good to be back,’ she beamed.
The couple then headed back to Sandringham House in their carriage, smiling and waving to onlookers.
