Queen Camilla couldn’t contain her laughter when she was presented with her own look-alike Barbie doll this afternoon, joking that the designers had “taken about 50 years off her life.”
The royal, 76, hosted an International Women’s Day reception at Buckingham Palace, which was attended by Dame Helen Mirren, in her role as chair of the organization WOW (Women of the World).
On International Day of the Girl in October 2023, the foundation launched their WOW Girls Festival Bus Tour across the UK.
After traveling through Great Britain, the Bus Tour today made its final stop at Buckingham Palace, where the team was greeted by Queen Camilla.
The Queen looked effortlessly elegant in a blue zip-up midi dress by Fiona Clare and a black cape by Amanda Wakeley.
Queen Camilla poses with her lookalike Barbie doll at the Buckingham Palace reception this afternoon
The queen completed her ensemble with a Van Cleef & Arpels bracelet, diamond and pearl earrings and black Eliot Zed boots.
Ahead of the engagement, WOW Global was given an overview of Camilla’s outfit so they could accurately recreate it for her Barbie.
The doll’s designers have expertly recreated Camilla’s signature hairstyle and added a WOW Global brooch to her cape.
After receiving the doll, Camilla said it was “brilliant” and chuckled.
She said, ‘Thank you very much. It’s brilliant and they took about 50 years off my life.
‘I am very grateful. Thank you so much for doing that, it’s amazing.’
Camilla turned to her other guests and said, “You should all have a Barbie!”
During the engagement, Camilla made a speech in which she referred to two stones thrown at the palace during a Suffragette protest in May 1914 and which were on display at Buckingham Palace.
The queen was presented with the lookalike doll in her role as chairman of the Women of the World foundation
Queen Camilla imagined handing over her own Barbie doll at Buckingham Palace this afternoon during a reception
Pictured: Queen Camilla at a reception celebrating International Women’s Day at Buckingham Palace
Stones thrown by the Suffragettes at the windows of Buckingham Palace, on display during a reception attended by Queen Camilla
Pictured: Dame Helen Mirren speaks to schoolgirls at the WOW reception at Buckingham Palace
Pictured: Queen Camilla laughed and joked that the Barbie designers had ‘taken 50 years off her life’ when she was presented with her look-alike doll
The royal family said: ‘Your achievements and your courage are great reasons for celebration. As I have followed the progress of the WOW bus through every corner of the country, I have been tremendously impressed by the mentorship offered, the panel discussions that have challenged and strengthened those in attendance, and the partnerships that have been created. forged with organizations that do fantastic work with young people all year round.
“So I just want to say very simply: well done and thank you. And as we look to the future, let us remember these words from Christabel Pankhurst: “Remember the dignity of your femininity. Don’t appeal, don’t beg, don’t grovel. Take courage, join hands, stand with us, fight with us.”
“To which I just want to add: let your lives be the stones that will shatter glass ceilings everywhere and inspire generations to come.”
Camilla met WOW director Jude Kelly – who founded the foundation in 2010 – as well as executive director Colette Bailey and director of festivals and programs Domino Pateman.
The WOW bus was designed as an interactive space where the team could deliver workshops and activities to communities across the UK.
The bus has its own reading corner and a video and recording studio.
After touring the bus, Camilla meets young people who participated in the festival and hears about their experiences.
The WOW Bus initiative was created after a 2022 Steer Education report found that girls’ self-confidence drops significantly between the ages of 14 and 18.
The research also found that girls as young as 11 hide signs of ‘deep distress’ from their parents and teachers, which can affect their teenage years.
Last night, Queen Camilla donned an elegant black dress as she hosted a Commonwealth Day celebration at Malborough House.
Queen Camilla opted for a black evening dress as she arrived at Marlborough House in Pall Mall in central London last night for a Commonwealth Day reception
Baroness Scotland van Asthal also opted for a black evening dress with jacquard effect and a glitter belt at the waist
When Camilla arrived, she met guests and delegates from Commonwealth countries, including a Samoan band.
Her appearance followed an earlier service at Westminster Abbey, where Camilla and Prince William led the royal family for the annual celebration.
It came as Kensington Palace came under increasing pressure to release the original Mother’s Day photo after the Princess of Wales apologized after admitting she edited the family portrait of herself while with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis fed up.
Experts told MailOnline that it was modified using Photoshop and related AI tools.