Organising a group can be a tough challenge at the best of times, with one person often having to take the lead.
And at yesterday’s Order of the Garter procession it was the Duchess of Cornwall, 70, who made sure the other European royals were keeping to the schedule.
While standing outside St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, Camilla gently tapped Queen Maxima of the Netherlands on the arm to remind her to face forward.
The visiting royal, 48, appeared to have been chatting to the Duchess of Cambridge at the time, and needed a gentle reminder that the procession was about to begin.
Camilla’s helpful prod comes days after Prince Harry was caught telling his wife Meghan to ‘turn around’ during the Trooping the Colour celebrations at the weekend.
While Queen Letizia of Spain, left, and Sophie Countess of Wessex, middle, were talking, Camilla, right, gently tapped Queen Maxima of the Netherlands to remind her to face the front
The elegantly-dressed royal women stood together to watch the Order of the Garter Service yesterday at Windsor Castle. Pictured left to right are Sophie Countess of Wessex, Queen Letizia of Spain, Camilla, Queen Maxima of the Netherlands and the Duchess of Cambridge
At one point the Duchess of Sussex turned around to speak to her husband twice in quick succession on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
Analysing the footage, MailOnline’s lip reading expert concluded Prince Harry said to Meghan, ‘Yes, that’s right’ when she looked at him the first time, before adding: ‘Turn around… Look,’ when she turned back to him a short time later.
In a clip of the Order of the Garter event shared on Twitter the five women – Sophie Countess of Wessex, Queen Letizia of Spain, Camilla, Queen Maxima and Kate – were seen waiting for the parade.
Queen Letizia, dressed in a £250 dress by Spanish label Cherubina, and Sophie were captured talking before the Countess of Wessex moved to her spot in the row.
As the pair were talking to Camilla’s right side, Queen Maxima and the Duchess of Cambridge also appear to be discussing something to her left.
Queen Maxima, pictured second right, could not contain her smiles as she took part in the event yesterday. She wore a cape dress, believed to be by Dutch designer Claes Iverson
The Duchess of Cambridge and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands chatted outside St George’s Chapel. The women last met during the Dutch State Visit to the UK last year
The Duchess of Cornwall, Queen Maxima of the Netherlands and the Duchess of Cambridge appeared to get on like a house on fire at the event
As the royal in the middle of the row, Camilla took control and gently tapped Maxima on the arm to remind her to face the front and get in position.
Immediately after Maxima, who was dressed in a cape dress believed to be by Dutch designer Claes Iverson, took a step forward to stand in between Camilla and Kate.
The European royal women stood chatting with each other for some time outside the chapel before the procession began.
Queen Maxima and Queen Letizia smiled for the cameras, Maxima in particular beamimg, as their husbands walked by in the procession.
The royal women all respected the dress code by donning a hat for the event at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, yesterday
While the day was technically about their husbands taking part in the service, the royal women ensured all eyes remained on them by pulling out all the style stops. Left to right: Sophie Wessex, Letizia of Spain, Camilla, Maxima of the Netherlands, Kate
Queen Elizabeth II, 93, accompanied by Princess Alexandra, travelled by car to the chapel, a few hundred yards down the hill from her apartments, behind the knights’ procession.
Kate opted for an elegant white Catherine Walker coat dress yesterday for the ceremony to officially invest Maxima and Letizia’s husbands as Supernumerary, or ‘Stranger’, Knight of the Garter.
King Felipe VI of Spain was appointed by the Queen during his July 2017 State Visit while King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands received the honour during his State Visit in October 2018.
Queen Elizabeth II, centre, formally bestowed the honour of Supernumerary Knight of the Garter upon King Felipe of Spain, left, at Windsor castle. King Felipe was accompanied by his wife, Queen Letizia, right
Also given the title of Supernumerary Knight, or ‘Stranger’ Knight, was King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, pictured with The Queen and his wife Queen Maxima at Windsor Castle
Yesterday their honorary titles were made official in a service also attended by Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, Prince Edward and Prince William.
The engagement also marked just the second time the Duchess of Cambridge has been seen publicly with Letizia of Spain, following the Spanish State Visit.
Mother-of-three Kate also spent time with Maxima during the Dutch State Visit last year.