Duchess of Cornwall visits Royal Academy of Dance headquarters

Duchess of Dance! Camilla shows off her moves as she joins in with a class at the opening of the new Royal Academy headquarters in London

  • Camilla attended opening of Royal Academy of Dance headquarters in London
  • Duchess of Cornwall took part in a class alongside the Silver Swans dance group
  • The 74-year-old looked elegant in a knee-length navy dress paired with boots 

The Duchess of Cornwall demonstrated her best moves during the opening of the new Royal Academy of Dance headquarters in London today.

Camilla, 74, donned an elegant knee-length navy dress and black boots as she attended the grand opening in her role as Vice-Patron.

Having previously gushed about her love of ballet and the importance of being active, Camilla eagerly joined in a class with the Silver Swans dance group during the visit.   

The Duchess of Cornwall, 74, (pictured) attended the opening of the new Royal Academy of Dance headquarters in London today 

Camilla took centre stage (pictured) as she met with dancers and officials during the highly-anticipated grand opening 

Camilla (pictured left) looked elegant in a navy dress paired with black boots, and chatted to young ballet dancers during the visit 

The Duchess of Cornwall styled her blonde hair into loose waves and kept her makeup subtle with the addition of a pink lipstick.

She coordinated her navy dress with a blue Channel handbag and gold jewellery for understated glamour. 

Camilla has been Vice-Patron of the Royal Academy since 2020, alongside the Queen who has held the role since 1953.

Today, she appeared in good spirits as she posed for photographs with Cuban British dance director Carlos Acosta and former BBC Strictly Come Dancing judge Darcey Bussell.

The royal also spoke with dancers and unveiled a plaque to commemorate the opening of the new Royal Academy of Dance headquarters in South-West London. 

Camilla (pictured centre right) appeared in good spirits as she joined in with a class for the Silver Swans dance group 


The Duchess of Cornwall was joined by Darcey Bussell (pictured), who is a former BBC Strictly Come Dancing judge and president of RAD

Darcey and Camilla (both pictured) were given the opportunity to watch dancers perform in the new purpose-build headquarters

The Royal Academy of Dance has over 100 years of experience in teaching dance and has offices in 36 countries. 

Their new £19.5 million Battersea headquarters aims to provide students and teachers with enhanced training facilities including a library and a 193-seat studio theatre to showcase talent.  

Plans for the purpose-built building were first announced in January 2017. 

Camilla received a warm welcome today including a bouquet of flowers, having previously visited the organisation to show her support. 

Camilla (pictured right) unveiled a plague to commemorate the monumental day, as thousands of students are set to benefit from the new facilities 

Duchess of Cornwall, who was given a bouquet of flowers, posed for a photograph alongside Cuban British dance director Carlos Acosta (pictured right) during her visit

Meeting the president of the organisation Darcey Bussell during a video call when she was announced as Vice Patron of the Royal Academy of Dance in 2020, Camilla said: ‘I love dance in any form, so it’s a real honour for me to be asked. 

‘My visit there was so memorable, first of all because of the Silver Swans, but actually meeting everybody. It had a wonderful feeling of comradeship and also such a happy place! I think dancing makes you happy.’

The royal learned more about the history of RAD during a visit to the V&A’s Royal Academy of Dance display last year.

The Duchess of Cornwall has previously spoken about the joy of dancing and having had ballet lessons at home 

Camilla revealed that she started her days during lockdown with Silver Swans dancing and Pilates to keep active 

At the time, she had been candid about having her own dance lessons at home with a group of friends and also opened up about her and Prince Charles’ experiences of lockdown.

Camilla admitted: ‘Well it’s very peculiar. My husband is a workaholic so it’s work wherever he is. We try to do something for our charities most days.

‘We’ve got to keep active otherwise we will all seize up and we won’t be able to get out of bed in the morning. It doesn’t matter if it is ten minutes. It doesn’t matter if it is ten minutes or 20 minutes, it just starts off the day. ‘

Camilla revealed that she starts her day ‘with a bit of Silver Swans and a bit of Pilates… and a lot of walking, which I love,’ she added.  

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