- Queen Camilla joined veterans in Portsmouth and Ver-sur-Mer this week
- READ MORE: Awkward moment Brigitte Macron tries to hold hands with Queen Camilla at D-Day memorial - after French president kept the royals waiting by arriving late
Queen Camilla came into her own - and revealed her natural warmth and ability to connect with others as a leading lady - at the commemorative events for the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
The royal, 76, did not shy away from showing emotion as she joined King Charles, the Prince of Wales, UK politicians and veterans at major events in Portsmouth and Ver-sur-Mer this week.
The occasion was inevitably sombre, as shown by Her Majesty shedding a tear when listening to a veteran recount the horror of losing his best friend on the beaches in Normandy 80 years ago.
But amid the heavy and deeply moving testimonials, Camilla also shared heartfelt moments with multiple former soldiers smiling and enjoying light conversation with the Queen.
Her nickname, the 'nation's grandma', was upheld by the young girl so at ease with Camilla that she enthusiastically wrapped her arms around her during a photo opportunity, despite the Royal Family previously shying away from being snapped with the public.
Queen Camilla revealed her natural warmth during this week's D-Day commemorative events, including when veteran Ken Hay, 98, kissed her hand at Vel-sur-Mer
During the D-Day memorial event in Portsmouth on Wednesday, tears welled up in Camilla's eyes as she listened to former Royal Navy serviceman Eric Bateman recall his experience on Utah beach.
Mr Bateman, who served on the warship HMS Erebus, described how you could 'walk across the Channel' because of how many boats were involved in the invasion.
And paying tribute to his fallen comrades, he said: 'So many men and women, including my dear friend Fred, joined up with me but unfortunately never made it.'
Camilla was unafraid to show raw emotion, which may have also related to her family connections to the tragic events that took part during World War II as her father, Bruce Shand, was taken as a prisoner of war in Germany.
Despite being visibly moved, the 76-year-old was composed when she accompanied her husband, King Charles, on stage as he made his first public speech since his cancer diagnosis.
Her strength and support continued as she went on to greet veterans after listening to a string of hard-hitting speeches.
Later in the day, Camilla put on a warm display as she went on to greet Eric Bateman after he moved her to tears with his tragic tale of how he lost his best friend on the beaches of Normandy.
Her Majesty was not afraid to show emotion while listening to a veteran's speech in Portsmouth
When a young girl jumped at the opportunity to get a picture with Camilla, Her Majesty gladly put her arm around the child and smiled for the camera
Camilla appeared in high spirits as she met D-Day veteran Eric Bateman following the UK's national commemorative event for the 80th anniversary of D-Day
He told the crowd: 'The stories of courage, resilience and solidarity we have heard today and throughout our lives cannot fail to move us, to inspire us and to remind us of what we owe to that great wartime generation.'
Speaking to him after the event, Camilla was quick to show humour and complimented him on how 'smart and young' he was looking, which he jokingly attributed to his wife helping him 'keep fit'.
The moment a veteran went to peck Camilla's hand as she greeted him was met with giggles from the Queen, who tapped him on the shoulder and said: 'I'm very flattered'.
'Look after him,' the 76-year-old added while chatting with his friends and family, to which they replied: 'We will'.
'Very nice to see you,' Camilla continued as she shook hands with a different veteran lined to meet her. 'You do look lovely in pink,' one said. To which she replied, 'Oh, that's very kind'.
Her straight-talking sister-in-law Princess Anne previously said Camilla is 'not a natural' at the role - but she 'does it really well' and 'provides that change of speed and tone, that's equally important'.
And Camilla's earnest conversations at the events was a testament to Anne's observation, as she enthusiastically attempted to form bonds with those she spoke to.
The royal appeared delighted to meet Royal Navy D-Day veteran Albert Keir, 98, from Derbyshire
When Her Majesty accompanied King Charles on stage for his speech in Portsmouth, she was poised
The 76-year-old looked animated as she chatted with veterans at a lunch after the commemorative event
The following day, on Friday, Charles and Camilla travelled to the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer, to tribute the 22,442 service personnel under British command who died on D-day and during the Battle of Normandy in the summer of 1944.
Charles and Camilla led those present, including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and French President Emmanuel Macron, in a poignant silent prayer to remember those no longer with us, while memories of those who were on the beaches 80 years ago were also read out.
There were moments of levity, with Queen Camilla being given a white rose by veteran Gilbert Clarke in a touching mark of respect. Her Majesty clutched on to the tender gift as she spoke with the former soldiers.
And speaking to FEMAIL, a lip reader has caught the touching interactions between Queen Camilla and one veteran during the commemorative event.
According to Jeremy Freeman, Camilla engaged in a moving exchange that saw a veteran tell Her Majesty: 'I'm alive, that's all that matters'.
In a poignant response, Camilla said: 'Oh, it does matter, as long as... it's humanly possible.'
Camilla and Charles were both moved as they listened to veteran's recount their memories of the war during the event
According to lip reader Jeremy, when Gilbert handed the rose to the royal, he said: 'For you truly.'
A woman accompanying Gilbert asked Camilla: 'Do you like it? It's a positive flower'. Camilla replied: 'Yes' and added: 'Lovely to be here today'.
They were also presented with white roses by French schoolchildren while cadets waved flags.
When Her Majesty met with veterans at the lunch, she appeared completely at ease, and held one veteran's hand.
The display was somewhat different from when Camilla appeared rather reluctant when Brigitte Macron tried to hold her hand.
The mishap occurred when the Queen and Mrs Macron, both dressed in white, laid wreaths at the British Normandy Memorial at Ver-sur-Mer.
In an unusual move, the royal happily accepted a kiss on her hand from a veteran during the lunch in Normandy
Camilla looked delighted to receive a white rose from veteran Gilbert Clarke, during the UK Ministry of Defence and the Royal British Legion's commemorative event
After placing their flowers, they stepped back to take a moment of reflection and the First Lady reached out to the Queen, but Camilla seemed somewhat reluctant to proffer her gloved hand.
After appearing to give the royal's hand a slight squeeze, Mrs Macron dropped it and the two stood side by side in front of the memorial.
While her gesture was no doubt well meant, getting tactile with members of the royal family is always a thorny issue.
According to the Royal Family's website there are 'no obligatory codes of behaviour' when meeting The Queen or a member of the Royal Family, but there's an unwritten rule that you shouldn't go beyond a handshake.
Later that day, Camilla was nonetheless seen holding the hand of a veteran while the pair, who appeared to get on very well with one another, and shared a laugh.
This week was a show of Camilla proving she is a leading lady in her own right, which she has continually demonstrated since the King's cancer diagnosis.
Speaking to GB News earlier in the year, Princess Diana's former butler Paul Burrell remarked that the monarch's wife is the 'guiding force' for the family, as well as being the one behind Charles's openness regarding his health.
'I think she is the stabiliser,' he told the outlet. 'I think she has that touch. I think she's able to reach people in a way the King can't and I think she's taught him a lot in the last few years about monarchy and how to be King.
'Isn't that odd really, that she should come up through the ranks and be so supportive and such a stabilising influence in our modern-day Royal Family.'
Her Majesty's presence has been a rock for the Firm, which has been riddled with health concerns as Charles and Kate are both undergoing cancer treatment.