Queen Camilla's effort to show deference to her sister-in-law Princess Anne during a rare joint royal engagement was graciously declined, as the two navigated longstanding royal protocol at the University of London's Foundation Day on Wednesday.
The ceremony, held at the university's Senate House, saw Princess Anne, 74, who serves as the university's chancellor, presenting Queen Camilla, 77, with an honorary doctorate of literature in recognition of her decades-long advocacy for literacy.
Upon their arrival, Camilla invited Anne to enter the venue ahead of her-a gesture that would have broken royal protocol, which prioritizes the queen's precedence over other members of the royal family. According to the Daily Express, Anne "smiled and politely refused," ensuring Camilla entered the room first, as dictated by the "sequential hierarchy of nominal importance."
The hierarchy, which has governed royal proceedings since 1066, places Camilla above Anne in formal settings, despite Anne's position as the daughter of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. Camilla ascended to her current role within the royal family after marrying King Charles III in 2005, following a relationship that spanned decades.
The two royals were seen enjoying lighthearted moments during the ceremony. Camilla donned ceremonial robes and knelt on a stool while Anne draped the academic hood over her shoulders. Photos captured the pair smiling together, with Camilla holding her honorary diploma.
Buckingham Palace released a statement emphasizing the significance of Camilla's literacy work: "As an avid reader, The Queen has a strong interest in highlighting the importance of literacy and has long been a supporter of literacy in the UK and across the Commonwealth."
The queen's initiatives include patronages with organizations such as the National Literacy Trust and BookTrust. Additionally, her charity, The Queen's Reading Room, initially launched as an online book club in 2021, became a registered charity in 2023 to further promote the benefits of reading.
The University of London Foundation Day, an annual celebration of the institution's establishment in 1836, has previously honored notable figures such as King George V, Queen Mary, Sir Winston Churchill, and Dame Judi Dench.
Camilla and Anne have built a close relationship over the years, often seen together during public engagements. In the BBC documentary Charles III: The Coronation, Anne praised her sister-in-law's role as queen consort, stating, "I've known her a long time, off and on. Her understanding of her role and how much difference it makes to the king has been absolutely outstanding. This role is not something that she would have been a natural for, but she does it really well."
The engagement came during a period of ill health for Camilla, who later withdrew from attending the Royal Variety Performance on Friday due to a lingering chest infection. Buckingham Palace announced, "The queen continues to experience some lingering post-viral symptoms and has therefore withdrawn from attendance at tonight's Royal Variety Performance. His Majesty will attend as planned."
King Charles III attended the event at the Royal Albert Hall, his first as monarch since taking over the patronage of the Royal Variety Charity from his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
