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A Queen's best friend! Animal lover Camilla is a hit with the residents at Battersea Dogs' and Cats' Home

A Queen's best friend! Animal lover Camilla is a hit with the residents at Battersea Dogs' and Cats' Home

Daily Mail​19 hours ago
Queen Camilla was in her element this afternoon, surrounded by adorable puppies during a visit to Battersea Dogs' and Cats' Home.
The Queen, 77, unveiled a new dog garden at the shelter in central London, which was thought to have been originally created this year's Chelsea Flower Show by broadcaster and gardening expert, Monty Don.
The outdoor space was designed in collaboration with the RHS and BBC Radio 2 and was gifted to the animal charity to help provide a calming environment for canines.
Camilla put her best fashion foot forward for the occasion and stepped out in the capital city, donning a royal blue frock.
The classy pleated maxi dress elegantly fell to the royal's ankles and was perhaps inspired by the Princess of Wales' stunning cobalt blue Roksanda dress that she sported for the men's final at Wimbledon on Sunday.
In true animal-lover fashion, Camilla fastened a sweet Terrier badge to her chest to honour her visit to the animal shelter, which cares for strays and abandoned pets.
As she toured the premises of the South West London-based site, Camilla, who lost her beloved Jack Russell rescue Beth last November, made a fuss of the pooches living at the shelter - and many of them returned the shows of affection.
As she chatted to staff members in the gardens of the home, a little white terrier jumped up and tried to lick her hand and another black dog licked her white handbag.
Elsewhere, Camilla appeared taken by a golden Labrador, beaming as she bent down to scratch his head.
She also greeted other lovable pups, who were patiently lining up and waiting for their chance to meet the Queen alongside beaming Battersea shelter staff.
The Queen rescued Jack Russell-cross, Moley, from Battersea earlier this year when she was just eight weeks old.
It's understood that Moley is female and was born on Boxing Day and her mother is half Jack Russell, half unknown - while her father's breed is also unknown.
It's thought Moley lives at Rat Hill, Queen Camilla's private Wiltshire residence, although it's expected she'll accompany the royal couple when they stay at official royal residences.
The Queen revealed the happy news as she affectionately stroked a guide dog while meeting a partially-sighted museum group in the Beaney House of Art & Knowledge located in the centre of Canterbury's bustling high street in February.
'I've just got a new puppy, he's eight-weeks old,' she told owner Susan Mason, 66, who is partially-sighted.
When Ms Mason asked what breed she is, the Queen laughed and said: 'You may well ask, a bit of everything. It's a rescue dog. It's called Moley - it looks just like a mole.'
Before adopting Moley, Camilla rehomed her dogs Beth and Bluebell, from Battersea Dogs' and Cats' Home in 2011 and 2012, respectively.
During her visit on Monday, the royal spoke to presenter Amanda Holden, 54, and model David Gandy, 45, who were also at the heartwarming event.
The TV personality was dressed in a chic monochrome polka-dot frock, which she paired with white heels, whereas David looked suave in a crisp black suit.
Camilla looked in high spirits as she unveiled a blue plaque which said: 'To commemorate the opening of the Pat Myers Garden by our patron, Her Majesty Queen Camilla.'
She has been patron of Battersea since 2017 and had a tour around the new garden, which has shady spots for pooches to cool down from the sun, along with grass and also sensory elements with the aim of helping them de-stress.
The actor had been seen charming Queen Camilla as he took his seat at Centre Court on Wednesday
This area allows the dogs to get some respite from kennels and spend their time roaming free in a natural setting.
Her visit on Monday comes as she appeared to be charmed by Hugh Grant during a trip to Wimbledon's Royal Box last Wednesday.
The English actor, 64, and Anna, 46, who wed in 2018, put on a jovial display as they watched the match alongside celebs.
After a weekend of intermittent rain and occasional sunshine, guests at Wimbledon were treated to glorious 26 degree heat as they watch Novak Djokovic take on flamboyant Italian Flavio Cobolli in their quarter final second on Centre Court.
But the excitement of the Wimbledon quarter-finals was too much for Hugh Grant, as he appeared to fall asleep while on camera in the Royal Box.
Footage aired on the BBC showed Hugh nodding off mere minutes after chatting to Queen Camilla, having arrived for the match with his wife Anna.
Fans were left in hysterics as they spotted the moment during the channel's Wimbledon coverage, as it was shared on X with the caption: 'It's all got a bit too much for Hugh Grant.'
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