The Duchess of Cornwall was declared 'a natural' at doing on live TV this morning by no less a person than veteran host Phillip Schofield.
He was introduced to Camilla as she paid a visit to the set of This Morning on London's South Bank to mark the 60th anniversary of broadcaster ITV.
During the tour, the Duchess, who was elegant in pink Bruce Oldfield, also met Holly Willoughby and other daytime TV stars including Susanna Reid and Lorraine Kelly.
Afterwards, Schofield told MailOnline that the royal was 'utterly charming'. 'She's quite the natural at this [TV],' he added.
Filmed in the Gallery, the show's hub, the Duchess chattered confidently with Mr Schofield, and appeared to enjoy her live studio television debut.
'Please continue,' she said graciously as the show credits continued to roll.
But it was an earlier encounter with Miss Kelly that really impressed the Duchess, with Camilla exclaiming 'Ah, so you're the famous Lorraine' as they were introduced.
She also chatted with the presenters of the station's sometimes controversial Loose Women programme, including singer Rod Stewart's wife, Penny Lancaster, who revealed she had been sat next to Prince Charles at a private dinner at Dumfries House in Scotland the previous night.
Control room: The Duchess watches the show from The Gallery with producers
Going live: The Duchess inspects a cake made by This Morning chef, Eric Lanlard
Tasty: Camilla later confessed she had wanted to stick her finger in the raspberry and marscapone confection
'Yes he told me and said what a really lovely evening it had been, particularly sitting next to you,' the Duchess replied, with the equivalent of a royal wink.
The Duchess of Cornwall also revealed she is an unlikely fan of Loose Women, telling its panel: 'I recognise you all.'
Asked by regular host Ruth Langsford whether she would like to join them, she laughed: 'I think I would be a liability.'
Loose Women presenter Janet Street-Porter later said: 'She told us she was a fan of Loose Women and watches the programme.
'I think she would be a great panellist. She fits the bill; she's the right age.'
Saying hello: The Duchess is introduced to Good Morning Britain presenter Susanna Reid
Line up: She also met Ranvir Singh (centre) and Kate Garraway (right) during her studio tour
Starstruck: The Duchess chats to a delighted Lorraine Kelly during her visit to the ITV studios
The royal, who is clearly an occasional viewer of This Morning, also asked co-presenter Holly Willoughby, who has recently returned from maternity leave, how her new baby was and cooed over a Guide Dog puppy, Clover, a new regular on the show.
'How do you resist her and get any work done?' she asked, adding: 'I wish my dogs were as well behaved.'
Camilla also viewed a delicious-looking cake made to mark the 60th anniversary by chef Eric Lanlard using fresh English raspberries and mascarpone cheese.
Fan: Camilla was delighted to meet Birds of a Feather stars Pauline Quirke, Linda Robson and Lesley Joseph
Forgetful: Rylan Clark forgot he had met Camilla during a trip to Dumfries House in Scotland last year
Charming: The Duchess chats to fashion expert Gok Wan during her tour of the This Morning set
Saying hello: The Duchess looked thrilled to meet showbiz correspondent Alison Hammond
Chat: Camilla meets This Morning agony aunt Denise Robertson and the show's medic, Dr Chris Steele
'I really just want to put my finger in it,' she confessed.
In a spruced up Green Room she met with other This Morning regulars including fashionista Gok Wan and former X Factor star Rylan Clark.
Clark had the Duchess in stitches when she reminded them how they had last met at Dumfries House, a stately home in Scotland rescued by her husband for the nation.
'Did we?' the bemused presenter asked. 'Where is Dumfries House?'
'Err, Scotland,' Camilla reminded him politely.
'Ooooh yes, sorry, I have met you ' he squealed, to roars of laughter from the unruffled Duchess.
Back in the Gallery, which is responsible for the show going out, Camilla marvelled at the amount of equipment. 'It's like the Starship Enterprise,' she said, 'I don't think I could ever get to grips with this.'
Before she left she met a host of famous faces, past and present, at a reception to mark the occasion, chatting with actor Warwick Davis and broadcasters Eamon Holmes and Alastair Stewart.
Warm welcome: Camilla meets Loose Women's Coleen Nolan, Ruth Langsford and editor Siobhan O'Gorman
Looking good: Rod Stewart's wife Penny Lancaster was resplendent in leopard for the royal visit
Joining the show? After the meeting, Janet Street-Porter (left) said she should join the cast of Loose Women
She had to be peeled away by her staff from Birds Of A Feather actresses Lesley Joseph, Pauline Quirke and Linda Robson, who admitted they were 'gob-smacked' when Camilla told them she was a huge fan of the long running show and wanted to know when there would be a new series.
'She genuinely knew all about us, we couldn't quite believe it, and we gassed about grandchildren for quite a while too,' Joseph said.
The reception concluded with a montage of clips from ITV shows over the decades including a hilarious segment from Family Fortunes, when a hapless contestant was asked where was the most unlikely place a nun would be found.
Royal visit: The Duchess of Cornwall visited ITV's South Bank studios this morning and appeared on live TV
Looking good: The Duchess looked elegant in her pale pink skirt suit and nude Russell and Bromley heels
Refreshed: Camilla looked happy and relaxed as she returned to work following her summer holiday
Starstruck: The Duchess became briefly starstruck during the visit when introduced to Lorraine Kelly
Good fun: Camilla, pictured shaking hands with an executive, made the visit to mark ITV's 60th anniversary
'A brothel,' she replied - promoting gasps from the crowd....and guffaws of laughter from the down-to-earth Duchess.
Speaking afterwards, Miss Willoughby said: 'It's been really exciting, you felt it in the air as soon as you walked in today, there was a real buzz of excitement.’
The Duchess also gave her views on the Queen's record-breaking reign, with This Morning presenter Eamonn Holmes telling MailOnline afterwards:
'Camilla told me she thought it was a great day for the Queen, a marvellous day.'
Saying hello: The Duchess met well-wishers after leaving the set and stopped to shake hands
Royal selfie: The Duchess stopped to pose for a selfie with one of the well-wishers outside the studio
On her way: The Duchess, who has further engagements planned this week, makes her exit
Heading off: Camilla is driven away after the visit, seated beside a lady in waiting in the back of her car
0 comments:
Post a Comment