It isn’t every day that you see a Queen squeezing herself into a tiny red phone box with a crowd of giggling schoolchildren—but that’s exactly what happened during Queen Camilla’s latest royal outing.
Known for her warm sense of humour, the 78-year-old wife of King Charles decided to go off-script and give the children a moment they won’t forget.
Stylish Arrival Despite Gloomy Weather
The Queen arrived at Dulwich Picture Gallery in south-east London under grey skies, but her chic black-and-white outfit brightened the atmosphere.
She wore a tailored white dress by Fiona Clare paired with silver heels, and her wrists sparkled with delicate gold bracelets—including a Van Cleef & Arpels piece worth over £5,000.
Her makeup was equally polished, with bold lips and rosy cheeks giving her a radiant look.
Breaking the Rules for Fun
Camilla was at the gallery to officially open the new Artplay Pavilion and Sculpture Garden, but she quickly went “off piste” when she spotted a group of children from Dulwich Village Infant School.
Pointing to a classic red phone box, she teased, “Let’s see how many we can fit in there!”
Six kids rushed inside before she asked, laughing, “Do you think I can come in too?”
And in she went, squeezing alongside them.
Exploring the New Creative Spaces
Accompanied by gallery director Jennifer Scott, the Queen explored the recently transformed grounds.
She admired The Lovington Sculpture Meadow, designed by landscape architect Kim Wilkie and inspired by Rembrandt’s The Girl at a Window.
She also strolled past an “art forest” of 130 freshly planted trees meant to boost biodiversity.
At one point, she chuckled at a giant spaceship sculpture with a huge red slide, joking, “I’m not trying that out though!”
Cutting the Ribbon in Style
Inside the brand-new Artplay Pavilion, Queen Camilla officially cut the ribbon with the help of two children before deciding to try out a low climbing bridge herself.
“What a wonderful place,” she remarked, clearly impressed by the mix of learning, play, and creativity the new space offered.
The pavilion will give children and the wider public more opportunities to experience art in fun, interactive ways.
A Busy Week of Engagements
This lively visit came just a day after Camilla had travelled to Aldershot to meet soldiers and families of the 4th Battalion of The Ranger Regiment.
Dressed in another favourite monochrome outfit, previously worn at Wimbledon in 2023, she braved the rain once again to connect with servicemen, women, and their loved ones.
With her trademark turquoise and gold bracelet on display, she chatted warmly with soldiers and their families.
A Shared Royal Duty
While Queen Camilla was busy in south London, other royals were out on duty as well.
Across the city, the Princess of Wales and Prince William visited the Natural History Museum.
For Kate, the day was both professional and personal—her necklace carried the initials of her three children, George, Charlotte, and Louis.
The £495 gold piece was a touching tribute, reflecting her well-known fondness for meaningful jewellery.
A Personal Touch from Kate
Kate also wore a vibrant royal blue outfit, her freshly sun-lightened blonde hair framing her look.
It was another reminder of her thoughtful style choices, often mixing elegance with personal meaning.
Earlier this summer, she wore a pendant symbolising her youngest son Louis’s birth month at Wimbledon, showing once again how her jewellery often doubles as a heartfelt message.
Back to Work After Summer Break
Both William and Kate appeared tanned and refreshed after their traditional family summer break, which reportedly included sailing around the Greek islands.
As they toured the museum’s newly revamped gardens and engaged with children in educational programmes, it was clear that their return to royal duties came with plenty of energy and enthusiasm.
What’s Next for the Royals?
Between Queen Camilla’s playful antics with schoolchildren, her thoughtful engagement with military families, and the Prince and Princess of Wales’ family-themed museum visit, it’s clear the royals are easing back into a busy schedule of public engagements.
With autumn just beginning, there’s every indication that we’ll be seeing plenty more lighthearted yet meaningful moments from the royal family in the weeks ahead.