The Queen admitted her granddaughters were ‘incredibly jealous’ of her as she toured the headquarters of British design success Monica Vinader today.
Camilla, 76, visited the firm’s headquarters in Norfolk – where she had previously stopped by a gorse sanctuary – which was started by Ms Vinader and her sister in a converted forge next to her home just 15 years ago but is now worth around $100 million.
The company prides itself on its green credentials and last year was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development – the latter named after Queen Elizabeth.
‘My grandchildren – my grandchildren are incredibly jealous that I’m here today,’ Maharaj told the designer.
He added with a laugh: ‘They follow you [on social media]. When they found out I was coming here they started dropping lots of hints about what they would like for their birthdays.’
The Queen (right) admitted her granddaughters were ‘incredibly jealous’ of her as she toured the headquarters of British design success Monica Vinader (left) today
Founded in 2008, the firm has now become a huge British global success story with stores in Hong Kong, Singapore, the US and China, and huge international online sales.
The jeweler has since partnered with the world’s first net zero jewelry manufacturer, enabling customers to trace selected styles from design to material sourcing to craftsmanship, as well as making its jewelry with 100% recycled gold and silver and offering a jewelry recycling program.
Mrs Vinader greeted the Queen at the headquarters on the picturesque Holkham estate, telling her: ‘What a lovely place to work.’
Speaking about the jewellery’s suitability credentials, she added: ‘It’s so wonderful about it. ‘
He introduced an almost entirely female staff, telling one financial officer: ‘So you’re in charge of cash!’
‘It’s going to be our best year ever so we’re all very happy,’ laughed the lady.
Royal pours trays of durable pearls — rejected from the gem industry because of their irregular shapes — that Monica Vinada is looking to incorporate into future designs, as well as lab-created diamonds.
He was also invited to witness a photo shoot with models sporting designs by Monica Vinader.
Camilla, 76, visited the firm’s Norfolk headquarters, which Ms Vinader and her sister started in a converted forge next door to her home.
As it was earlier today, the Queen braved the Norfolk rain as she stepped out to visit a gorse sanctuary in Norfolk.
Pictured: Queen Camilla walks with the Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk, Monica Vinader and Lady Danat
The company prides itself on its green credentials and last year was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development. Photo of Camilla with staff by Monica Vinader
Founded in 2008, the firm has become a huge British global success story. Camilla is leaving after her visit
The Queen, pictured today, was greeted by Ms Vinadar at the picturesque Holkham Estate headquarters.
Before she left, Camilla was invited to unveil a plaque and pose for a team photographer to mark her visit.
Camilla, who enjoyed an engagement day in Norfolk today, also presented the designer with a glass bowl to mark her enterprise award.
The Queen was also invited to witness a photoshoot with models sporting designs by Monica Vinader
Queen Camilla was shown the photography studio while visiting Monica Vinader’s design studio
Before she left, Camilla was invited to unveil a plaque and pose for a team photographer to mark her visit, joking: ‘More plaques broke when I touched them…’
She also presented the designer with a glass bowl to mark her enterprise award, saying: ‘I’ve obviously seen the wonderful results of jewelery but you don’t know how much work goes into it. I had no idea of the size of the operation.
‘I’ve got a lot of grandchildren who say “Thank you for going there. Please, please we want this for our next birthday.”
‘I certainly got a lot of ideas.
‘Congratulations on landing such a brilliant job. I know you work with such brilliant consistency. This award is well deserved. ‘
Mrs Vinadar said: ‘This is a day we will all remember. This award is a real testament to the hard work of an amazing team who really, really care and are driven by what we do. It’s amazing to work with such an incredible team. ‘
Royal durable pearls poured into trays – rejected from the gem industry due to their irregular shape
The Queen admitted her granddaughters were ‘incredibly jealous’ of her when she visited the headquarters of British design success Monica Vinader
Speaking about the jewellery’s suitability credentials, Camilla added: ‘It’s so wonderful about it’
The Queen looked delighted to learn about Monica Vinader’s process during her visit today
Camilla appeared engrossed in conversation after learning about the company’s designs today
The royal was shown jewelery designs by staff during a visit to Monica Vinader’s design studio
It comes as earlier today, the Queen braved the Norfolk rain as she stepped out to visit a gorse sanctuary in Norfolk.
Camilla carried an umbrella as she made her way to Great Yarmouth’s Redwings horse sanctuary where royal fans gathered to greet her.
Despite the rain, she looked regal in a blue patterned dress and tan heeled pumps – layered with a waterproof trench coat, of course.
Camilla, who is known for her love of animals, bent down to graze between two horses grazing on a ‘cake’ in the shape of a horse’s head made of carrots and other horse food.
He also shook hands with well-wishers who lined up outside to meet him at his solo engagement.
Redwings Horse Sanctuary is located in the Anna Sewell House – the birthplace of Anna Sewell, who wrote Black Beauty.
The charity, which is caretaker of the home from 2022, hopes it will showcase Sewell’s legacy in literature and the world of animal welfare.
The team currently cares for 1,500 rescued horses, ponies, donkeys and mules across the UK at various sites.
The Queen looked regal yet ready for the rain in a blue patterned dress, a waterproof trench coat and an umbrella.
The horses were given a ‘cake’ made of goodies including carrots and seeds, which the Queen was impressed with.
Royal fans gathered with mini Union Jack flags to greet the Queen as she arrived at the Horse Sanctuary.
Queen Camilla prepares to sign a copy of Anna Sewell’s book Black Beauty as she visits the sanctuary
Her Majesty’s animal-centric visit comes just days after she made a trip to an alpaca center in Brecon during a whistlestop tour of Wales.
She and King Charles were delighted to meet the freshly shaved alpacas as they were taken on a field trip outside.
The Alpaca Theater was taking part in the annual Brecknock Agricultural Society Show in a field next to Brychenniog.
As Camilla gave the animal a gentle stroke on its neck, King Charles happily posed for photographs next to it.
During the visit, the king also expressed interest in seeing some sheep sheared.
Afterwards, Charles and Camilla took time to visit Brecon Barracks, the regional army command in Wales.
On July 17, Queen Camilla celebrated her 76th birthday and received a flurry of wishes.
Royal fans took to social media, while the official Royal Family accounts on both Instagram and Twitter paid tribute to Camilla as they shared smiling photos of King Charles III’s wife to mark the special occasion.
The Prince and Princess of Wales also sent their wishes with an Instagram story dedicated to the royal.
Elsewhere television presenter Giles Brandreth – who has known Camilla since they were both teenagers – shared a celebratory tweet directing fans to his Royal Reading Room.
Other messages came from The Ritz, the British Asian Trust, Smooth Radio and even the New Zealand Defense Force – which marked the majesty’s big day with a 21-gun salute from Wellington’s Point Jurningham.
HMNBDevonport announced its own 21-gun salute at midday today.
And in London, Green Park will be celebrated at noon with a ‘spectacular’ 41-gun salute by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery.
The Royal Parks account tweeted, ‘Please avoid the area at this time if you are walking a dog as gunshots are very loud and can startle.’
‘It’s Queen Camilla’s birthday,’ he said.
‘If you don’t already know about it, today is the day to visit The Queen’s Reading Room where Her Majesty celebrates all things books and the pleasure (and value) of reading.’