No wellies here! Camilla looks elegant in a baby blue coat dress as she pets an adorable four-day-old lamb on a visit to a farm in East Sussex
- Camilla, 71, wore a long coat dress and heels as she visited Jamie's Farm
- Duchess matched her blue dress with a statement pearl necklace and earrings
- Jamie’s Farm works with disadvantaged young people to help them thrive
The Duchess of Cornwall petted a four-day-old spring lamb - and reminisced about her childhood - today as she visited a farm just a mile or so from where she grew up.
Camilla, 71, was at Allington Farm, near Lewes in East Sussex, just over the hill from her family home, The Laines, in Plumpton.
She recalled how she used to ride her pony almost every day on the bridle path where she was now standing, along with her sister Annabel, ‘It was idyllic and I’m feeling terribly nostalgic,’ she said.
The Duchess was making a visit to newly opened Jamie's Farm in East Sussex to celebrate the charity's 10th anniversary.
Jamie’s Farm works with disadvantaged young people to help them thrive academically, socially and emotionally - Camilla has been a patron since 2004.
Camilla, 71, wore a long coat dress as she visited Jamie's Farm to learn more about how the farm helps young children
The little lamb stuck his tounge out and Camilla seemed to find it adorable as she petted the animal
Staff and children were busy in the kitchen while she spoke to them about the
Camilla wore one of her trademark brooches - attached to her dress it was in the shape of a clover and had turquoise stones in it. Pictured with Jamies Farm CEO and Founder Jamie Feilden
About her upbringing she said: ‘It was just the perfect place to grow up, we had so much freedom. We were out on our ponies or walking and exploring each day.
‘Sometimes I even used to ride my pony to school - I mean you couldn’t do that anywhere nowadays.’
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Camilla explained she had been a pupil at Dumbrells School, where the teachers were ‘fearsomely strict’. ‘It was the only place I think I ever learnt something,’ She said mischievously.
The Duchess wore a long blue coat dress for the occasion as she matched her blue dress with a statement pearl necklace and earrings, as well as stylish heeled brown shoes.
During her visit she spoke to staff and children as they prepared food together and seemed interested in the farm
The Duchess also wore a pretty blue and white top underneath her dress which had lace detail
As she arrived she was accompanied by Jamies Farm CEO and Founder Jamie Feilden as the farm marks the charity's 10th anniversary.
The charity runs five farms across the country which offer residential stays to vulnerable and disadvantaged children and young people, with the East Sussex farmhouse being the newest.
It works on the principles of ‘farming, family, therapy and legacy’, encouraging youngsters to get involved with real job on the farm and sit down to a home-cooked meal with a family each night - something many of the residents may never have experienced.
Camilla looked in good spirits as she visited Jamie's Farm today - which works with disadvantaged young people to help them thrive academically, socially and emotionally
looked excited to meet lambs that the children were feeding and looking after.
Camilla gets to grips with nature at Jamies Farm during a visit to their their newly opened farm to mark the charity's 10th anniversary
So far 6,000 children and teenagers have benefited from the scheme with remarkable results - sixty per cent of those who enjoy a stay are no longer at risk of exclusion from school after six months.
Camilla met with a group of youngsters from the Harris Academy Orpington, as they were preparing a lunch of pasta,home-made wild garlic pesto and salad in the kitchen.
‘I wish I was staying now, this looks delicious,’ Camilla told George, 12.
Camilla made anew friend today as she got up close to some of the animals on the farm in east Sussex
She also said to the children: ‘Have you walked to the top of the hill yet? There’s a great view at the top. I used to ride or run up most days. Isn’t this place wonderful? ‘
She was given a posy by Freddie, 11, who was planting out lettuces and stopped by a group creating home-made ‘bath bombs’ with ingredients from the farm.
One girl accidentally spilled a tin of water over her. ‘Oh don’t worry, it’s only water. It can’t hurt,’ laughed the Duchess, reassuringly.
She also stopped off to look at Flopsy, a Wiltshire pig with a litter of 13 piglets, and got to stroke four-day old twin lambs.
Jamie Feilden then gave her a tour the farm and she learnt more about the organisation's work with vulnerable young people and met the weeks resident school group
Patron of the charity Camilla visits Jamies Farm to view their newly opened Farm
A little boy holds a lamb today as patron Camilla, since 2004, toured the farm and learn more about the organisation's work with vulnerable young people and meet the weeks resident school group
As their mother bleated anxiously behind her, Camilla smiled and said: ‘Oh poor little things. She’s calling to them. ‘
Unveiling a wooden plaque to mark the charity’s tenth anniversary - which was covered up by a t-shirt - the duchess, who was clearly enjoying herself, said cheekily: ‘Do you want me lift up its shirt?’
For the visit the Duchess also wore a pretty blue and white top underneath her dress which had lace detail.
While she also wore one of her trademark brooches - attached to her dress it was in the shape of a clover and had turquoise stones in it.
Her hair was also in its signature style - down and blow dried with a flick, while she kept her make up natural.
The Duchess also stopped off to look at Flopsy, a Wiltshire pig with a litter of 13 piglets, and got to stroke four-day old twin lambs.
Camilla and the children got to grips with some of the animals today as she visited Jamie's Farm in East Sussex
The Duchess of Cornwall looked very taken with the lambs at the farm toady as she petted one under its chin
The Duchess of Cornwall opted for heels instead of wellies as she met children and animals at the farm
Later Camilla visited Ridgeview Wine Estate, a family run English sparking wine business in Ditchling on the South Downs.
As she met President of Wine GB and the daughter of a wine merchant, Bruce Shand, the Duchess said it was a ‘my treat’ to be there, as she toured the business, which was started by the late Mike Roberts in 1995.
Ridgeview now produces half a million bottles a year and has just been named International Wine Maker of the year, the industry’s highest seal of approval.
Camilla visited Ridgeview Wine Estate, a family run English sparking wine business in Ditchling on the South Downs
As she met President of Wine GB and the daughter of a wine merchant, Bruce Shand, the Duchess said it was a ‘my treat’ to be there, as she toured the business, which was started by the late Mike Roberts in 1995
Duchess of Cornwall smiles and raises a glass during a visit to Ridgeview Wine Estate, a family-run sparkling wine business
Camilla Duchess of Cornwall visits Ridgeview Wine Estate in East Sussex for a tour and a glass of wine
Camilla does a spot of wine tasting as she drops in at a winery claiming that it was a 'perfect day'
‘What a perfect day, it couldn’t be better,’ enthused the duchess.
In a charming and impromptu speech, Camilla joked as they toasted her visit: ‘I’ll toast myself! ‘
She went on: ‘Can I say what a huge pleasure it is to be here today. Not just that it has brought be back to Sussex, brought my back to Ditchling, where I used to be at school....but one of my hugest pleasures is being President on Wine GB.
'Having been in the wine world for most of my life, my father was involved for so many years, it is sort of a natural step to come and be part of it.
'And I hope wherever he is today he would be very proud to see me with a glass of English wine. Cheers!’
