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Queen Camilla was supported by those closest to her as she attended her first public outing since King Charles’s cancer diagnosis was revealed. 

The royal, 76, took a five-hour drive from her husband’s side at Sandringham to Wiltshire after the local helipad flooded to the charity musical evening at Salisbury Cathedral in Wiltshire. 

As she arrived at the event, she was flanked by Sarah Troughton, one of her companions, and the Marchionness of Lansdowne, Fiona Petty-Fitzmaurice, who was also by her side at the Coronation last year. 

At the event, Camilla said King Charles, 75, who underwent his first bout of treatment earlier this week, was ‘very touched’ by all the messages of support he has been receiving from around the world. 

Ben Abbott, 40, a critical care paramedic for Wiltshire Air Ambulance, said: ‘I do hope His Majesty is doing well Ma’am, we’re all really sad to hear the news.’

Queen Camilla was supported by her companion Sarah Troughton (left) and the Marchionness of Lansdowne, Fiona Petty-Fitzmaurice (right)

Queen Camilla was supported by her companion Sarah Troughton (left) and the Marchionness of Lansdowne, Fiona Petty-Fitzmaurice (right)

Her Majesty replied: ‘He is doing extremely well under the circumstances. He is very touched by all of the letters and messages the public have been sending from everywhere. That’s very cheering.’

Camilla, who hasn’t left her husband’s side since his diagnosis, has been with him in Norfolk all week as he recuperates.

As she made her first public engagement since Buckingham Palace revealed news of his diagnosis earlier this week, the Queen was supported by two of her closest confidantes.  

Marchiness Lansdowne has long been a friend of the Queen’s and supported her during the 1990s when details of her relationship with Charles emerged. 

She was also by her side as she was crowned alongside her husband last May. 

Lady Lansdowne spoke out in support of her friend after Prince Harry’s biography, Spare, was published. 

In an interview with The Sunday Times, Fiona, the Marchioness of Lansdowne, said Prince Harry’s comments had ‘hurt’ the Queen.

She said: ‘Of course it bothers her, of course it hurts. But she doesn’t let it get to her.

Sarah, who is the second cousin of the King, is one of the Queen's 'companions' and provides support to her

Sarah, who is the second cousin of the King, is one of the Queen’s ‘companions’ and provides support to her 

The Marchioness has been close with the Queen for many years and was by her side at the Coronation in May last year

The Marchioness has been close with the Queen for many years and was by her side at the Coronation in May last year

Sarah was beside Camilla's side as the musical evening progressed, and Camilla stayed for the duration of the two-hour event.

Sarah was beside Camilla’s side as the musical evening progressed, and Camilla stayed for the duration of the two-hour event. 

Sarah has been Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire since 2012 and is the first woman ever to have held the position since it was created in the 16th century

Sarah has been Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire since 2012 and is the first woman ever to have held the position since it was created in the 16th century

Camilla managed a smile as she arrived at the musical evening at Salisbury Cathedral, which is being held to celebrate the work of local charities

Camilla managed a smile as she arrived at the musical evening at Salisbury Cathedral, which is being held to celebrate the work of local charities

The Queen looked radiant in her first outing since the news of her husband's diagnosis, as she bravely stepped out for the evening

The Queen looked radiant in her first outing since the news of her husband’s diagnosis, as she bravely stepped out for the evening

‘Her philosophy is always, “Don’t make a thing of it and it will settle down – least said, soonest mended.”‘

Meanwhile, Sarah is one of the Queen’s six ‘companions’ and has been Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire since 2012 and is the first woman ever to have held the position since it was created in the 16th century.

Sarah is the second cousin of the King as her grandfather was the brother of Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.

Speaking about Camilla previously on Good Morning Britain, Sarah said: ‘I don’t think there’s much that will surprise you, all I can tell you is that she’s the nicest, kindest, most amusing friend one could possibly have, to all generations, that includes our children.’ 

In November 2022 it was revealed that Camilla had ditched the traditional ‘Ladies In Waiting’ title for her companions. 

Instead she announced her six ‘Queen’s companions’, who provide Her Majesty with support and company.  

Camilla and Lord-Lieutenant of Wilshire, Mrs Sarah Troughton, attend a church service together in Wiltshire in 2021

Camilla and Lord-Lieutenant of Wilshire, Mrs Sarah Troughton, attend a church service together in Wiltshire in 2021

Queen Camilla pictured with her close friend Lady Fiona Lansdowne at her home Bowood House in July 2002

Queen Camilla pictured with her close friend Lady Fiona Lansdowne at her home Bowood House in July 2002

The Queen had long been scheduled to attend the musical evening to celebrate the work of three Wiltshire charities and travelled five hours from her husband’s side at Sandringham to be there. 

A source said: ‘It’s been a tough week but Her Majesty was determined not to let people down. She knows the organisers personally and the charities are three she is very much involved in. 

‘Plus she was concerned that if she cancelled at the last minute it would spark all sorts of alarm about His Majesty, who is actually doing well. 

‘She’s always been a trouper and decided that if a 400-odd mile, 10-hour round trip was the only way to do it, then that’s what she would do.’

The Queen has a home in Lacock, Wiltshire, and she chatted with the air ambulance medics about their work. Mr Abbott said: ‘I told her we always wave when we fly over Lacock and she said she always waves back.’ 

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This post first appeared on Daily mail