The Duchess of Cornwall showed off her ballet skills today, during a visit to the Royal Academy of Dance in London.
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Camilla was visiting to celebrate the academy’s Silver Swans programme, an initiative which delivers ballet classes for the over 55s. The classes are designed to help improve mobility, coordination, stamina and posture; TV journalist Angela Rippon was on hand to teach Camilla the basics.
Angela, 73, is an ambassador for the Silver Swans programme which is provided by qualified dance teachers who have been specially trained for teaching ballet to older adults.
Upon her arrival, Camilla, 70, was greeted by a group of young male dancers ‘dabbing’, which amused the Duchess. The Royal is known to be a big fan of Strictly Come Dancing, and even took part in the Christmas special in December.
camilla, duchess of cornwall watches a ballet class at the royal academy of dance (clarence house)
The Duchess of Cornwall was then taught some basic ballet techniques and mastered a tendu, the action of stretching the leg and foot out from one position to another, while keeping it on the floor. Prince Charles’ wife received a tour of the academy, and seemed to enjoy the dance lessons, revealing, “I want to be a Silver Swan!”
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Camilla then watched a ‘Project-B’ class, which is designed to bring more boys into the art of ballet, by mixing the dance with sports and superheroes. The Royal Academy of Dance is set to invest over £30,000 in male ballet over the next three years.
After meeting the future Queen, Angela Rippon said: “It was wonderful to meet The Duchess of Cornwall today and for her to see a Silver Swans class in action.
camilla saw how boys are being encouraged into enjoying ballet too (clarence house)
“Ballet is fabulous exercise for body mind and spirit, particularly as we get older.”
Later in the day, the Duchess visited Fine Cell Work’s Hub in Vauxhall, where she met ex-prisoners learning about professional creative needlework and craftwork. The organisation attempts to keep ex-offenders crime free by training them in needlework.
Camilla got involved in the artwork by sewing some back stitches into her monogram, a crown atop a letter ‘C’.
The Duchess laughed, “This could be my finest hour in stitching.. I’m glad I’ve got my specs on!”
