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Queen Camilla was the epitome of a perfect hostess at a star-studded Buckingham Palace reception today.

The King’s wife, 76, looked effortlessly elegant in a navy dress as she chatted to judges and celebrity readers to celebrate the final of a prestigious children’s writing competition, the BBC’s 500 Words.

She was joined by a host of famous faces, including Sir Lenny Henry, British actor Tom Hiddleston and Downton Abbey’s Hugh Bonneville.

The outing comes as the Royal Family mourn the sudden death of Lady Gabriella Windsor’s war hero husband Thomas Kingston, who was found dead aged just 45 at an address in Gloucestershire on Sunday evening.

The unexpected death of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent’s ‘exceptional’ son-in-law left family and friends in a state of deep shock. An inquest will be held but there are no suspicious circumstances and no other parties involved. 

Queen Camilla shakes hands with Sir Lenny Henry during a reception for the BBC's 500 Words Finalists at Buckingham Palace

Queen Camilla shakes hands with Sir Lenny Henry during a reception for the BBC’s 500 Words Finalists at Buckingham Palace

Devised by Chris Evans six years ago, 500 Words is a nationwide creative writing competition for children aged between five and 13 years. 

Entrants must write a 500 word story and the six winning pieces will be read aloud on the radio by a celebrity such as Hugh and Oti Mabuse.

The Final itself will be televised during a special 30-minute episode of The One Show on March 7 – World Book Day.

The occasion saw a sweet moment in which the Queen chatted with young star Alisha Weir – the 14-year-old actress who played Matilda in the 2022 movie musical.

‘I just finished a horror movie,’ she told Camilla, who appeared surprised by the news.

‘Very different to Matilda,’ an amused Alisha added.

‘Oh my goodness… is it going to frighten the life out of us?’ the Queen asked, to which the young singer replied ‘maybe!’.

In September, Sir Lenny Henry shared a video of himself enjoying a cup of tea at Buckingham Palace to social media to promote the competition, which he is judging for the first time.

The Queen chats with Tom Hiddleston during a reception at Buckingham Palace in London

The Queen chats with Tom Hiddleston during a reception at Buckingham Palace in London

The occasion saw a sweet moment in which the Queen chatted with young star Alisha Weir - the 14-year-old actress who played Matilda in the 2022 movie musical

The occasion saw a sweet moment in which the Queen chatted with young star Alisha Weir – the 14-year-old actress who played Matilda in the 2022 movie musical

The Comic Relief superstar was suited and booted as he sat at a table in the palace while reading a poem from The Queen, who champions the importance of literacy in creating life opportunities.

The poem read: ‘I send this letter Dear Sir Lenny, to ask you kindly if there’s any…

‘Chance you might today at breakfast, tell your viewers of a contest, which inspires imagination, creativity, celebration, the call you will I’m sure you’ve heard… 

‘Send us your 500 words. If you are aged from 5-7 or from 8 up to 11, write your story, send it in, you could be the one to win.

‘Any subject, any style, make us marvel, make us smile. Make us think and think again, you have until November 10. The hunt is on, we seek a star, the best of luck, Camilla R.’

Queen Camilla shakes hands with a young guest during a reception for the BBC's 500 Words Finalists

Queen Camilla shakes hands with a young guest during a reception for the BBC’s 500 Words Finalists

Queen Camilla (R) poses with Skylar Copeland, aged nine, during the reception this afternoon

Queen Camilla (R) poses with Skylar Copeland, aged nine, during the reception this afternoon

Queen Camilla (R) shares a joke with British writers Malorie Blackman (L), Charlie Higson (2L) and US-British writer Francesca Simon (3L)

Queen Camilla (R) shares a joke with British writers Malorie Blackman (L), Charlie Higson (2L) and US-British writer Francesca Simon (3L)

Queen Camilla poses with children during the reception at Buckingham Palace in London

Queen Camilla poses with children during the reception at Buckingham Palace in London

Queen Camilla speaks with British actor Luke Evans (pictured left) and dancer Oti Mabuse (pictured centre)

Queen Camilla speaks with British actor Luke Evans (pictured left) and dancer Oti Mabuse (pictured centre)

Queen Camilla was the epitome of a perfect hostess at a star-studded Buckingham Palace reception today

Queen Camilla was the epitome of a perfect hostess at a star-studded Buckingham Palace reception today

The King's wife, 76, looked effortlessly elegant in a navy dress as she chatted to judges and celebrity readers to celebrate the final of a prestigious children¿s writing competition, the BBC ¿s 500 Words

The King’s wife, 76, looked effortlessly elegant in a navy dress as she chatted to judges and celebrity readers to celebrate the final of a prestigious children’s writing competition, the BBC ’s 500 Words

She was joined by a host of famous faces, including Sir Lenny Henry, British actor Tom Hiddleston and Downton Abbey 's Hugh Bonneville (pictured left)

She was joined by a host of famous faces, including Sir Lenny Henry, British actor Tom Hiddleston and Downton Abbey ‘s Hugh Bonneville (pictured left)

Devised by Chris Evans six years ago, 500 Words is a nationwide creative writing competition for children aged between five and 13 years

Devised by Chris Evans six years ago, 500 Words is a nationwide creative writing competition for children aged between five and 13 years

While walking around the palace with BBC Breakfast star Jon Kay, Lenny checked out the Gold State Coach and remarked: ‘Oh my god, Jay-Z wants his ride back.’

Then while making his way up the stairs, he joked that he needed some oxygen because he got so out of breath. 

He couldn’t believe it when the tray of tea was brought to him and he was told to help himself to milk and sugar, but said: ‘Any digestives?’

Yesterday, Queen Camilla led the Royal Family at the memorial service for King Constantine of Greece, attended by a large number of the late monarch’s family and foreign royalty, as King Charles III continues to receive treatment for cancer.

Prince William pulled out of the service at St George’s Chapel at the last minute for unspecified ‘personal reasons’. 

Constantine was godfather to Prince and Princess of Michael of Kent’s daughter Lady Gabriella Windsor.

She did not attend, although her parents did, and it later emerged Lady Gabriella’s husband Thomas Kingston died suddenly on Sunday – but William’s absence was not connected to this.

Lady Gabriella paid tribute to her financier husband in a joint statement with his family, describing him as an ‘exceptional man who lit up the lives of all who knew him’.

They described his death as a ‘great shock to the whole family’.

The King and Queen sent their ‘most heartfelt thoughts and prayers’ to Lady Gabriella, who is known as Ella, and Mr Kingston’s parents and siblings.

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This post first appeared on Daily mail