King Charles and Queen Camilla looked effortlessly cool as they toured a naval cockpit in the south of France today.
Charles, 74, and Camilla, 76, made a stylish pair in the mixed weather as they took part in a stroll armed with umbrellas – and some very chic accessories.
While the Queen paid tribute to the British designers in her Burberry trench coat, King Charles donned round-framed sunglasses to shield his eyes from the sun’s rays peeking through the clouds.
Their Majesties attended a reception on board HMS Iron Duke during an exercise highlighting defense ties between Britain and France.
The royal couple, who have been a hit with the French public since arriving in the country on Wednesday, met with royal fans who had gathered to meet them.
King Charles and Queen Camilla made a stylish duo as they visited Bordeaux this afternoon on the final day of their state visit to France
Camilla’s outfit for the last day of the tour consisted of a mysterious rectangular brooch covered in diamonds, the origin of which is unknown.
Camilla, 76, wore a light blue jacket dress and matching earrings as she descended the plane steps behind her husband earlier today.
She paired the coat dress with the statement dazzler, which she first wore on Christmas Day 2022 – her first Sandringham appearance since becoming queen.
At the time, Camilla used the accessory to accessorize her navy blue Anna Valentine coat, which she paired with a Philip Treacy hat.
The origins of this beautiful accessory are unknown, although royal fans have previously suggested that the Art Deco style dates back to the 1920s.
King Charles cut a cool figure with his umbrella and round frame sunglasses during the trip to HMS Iron Duke
Queen Camilla wore a mysterious brooch as she stepped off the plane upon arrival in Bordeaux this afternoon
The rectangular piece is divided into four triangular quadrants, with a square gemstone in the center.
When she visited Royal Ascot earlier this year, the Queen wore the brooch for a second time to enhance her mint green coat dress – and some may have taken it as a good luck charm as that day her horse Desert Hero came first in the King George V stakes .
Ascot tweeted at the time that the brooch previously belonged to Queen Camilla’s late mother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth II.
Royal fan blogs have suggested that the brooch might originally have been a wedding gift from Queen Mary to her daughter-in-law Princess Marina of Greece, the Duchess of Kent, in 1934.
It is believed that Princess Marina sold the brooch back to the royal family after the death of the Duke of Kent when she needed money.
Although it is not confirmed, the brooch is very similar to the one that Princess Mary gifted to Princess Marina, but without the original bow detailing at the top.
The King and Queen’s arrival in Bordeaux this afternoon marks the end of their first state visit to France after a friendly meeting with President Macron, 45, and First Lady Brigitte, 76, in Paris over the past two days.
At a state banquet at the Palace of Versailles on Wednesday, Camilla paid a charming tribute to the country where her state visit took place. She did not choose an English designer, but the French fashion house Dior to design her banquet dress with cape.
Brigitte, 70, in turn chose Louis Vuitton to produce her elegant floor-length gown with sheer sleeves and gem-encrusted cuffs and collar, just like she and President Emmanuel Macron.
It is believed that the Art Deco brooch was owned by Queen Elizabeth before Camilla
The Queen first debuted the brooch on Christmas Day 2022 during her first appearance at Sandringham since becoming Queen
The elegant ladies formed a power duo on the red carpet as they joined Macron and King Charles on the red carpet for the state banquet.
In a sweet moment, the French first lady was pictured donning Queen Camilla’s striking navy blue cape on her way to the palace.
While the state-like foursome were joined by a cohort of exclusive guests at the banquet, including Hollywood actor Hugh Grant, they dined on lobster, crab and 30-month aged Comté cheese.
Arriving in France earlier today, Queen Camilla paid tribute to British designers by opting for a stunning pink coat dress from Fiona Clare, while Brigitte was chic as always in a navy blue Louis Vuitton suit with cute anchor button detailing.
But at the Palace of Versailles, the couple coordinated, although their dresses were different enough not to lead to a full-on twinning effect.
Like Brigitte’s sheer sleeve on her long Louis Vuitton dress with its bejeweled collar, Camilla’s cape allowed a flattering flash of flesh without revealing too much. And the tails of the cape provided the drama befitting a new monarch.