They are both Windsors by name, and on Tuesday the Duchess of Cornwall and British actress Barbara Windsor joined forces for a good cause. The ladies hosted a Clarence House reception held in aid of the Big Lunch Community Awards – a scheme which challenges people to sit down to lunch with their neighbours and forge out friendships.
Former EastEnders actress Barbara, 75, is London Mayor Boris Johnson's street party ambassador and was there to help judge the ceremony. Camilla, who is patron of the initiative, presented awards to local leaders who have worked to build community spirit in their areas. During a speech at the reception, Barbara paid tribute to Camilla and their guests. "It's been a pleasure to be part of the Big Lunch Community Awards and it's a great honour to be invited to Clarence House to meet these five, incredibly deserving, communities," she said. Once the formalities were over, Barbara and Camilla posed with honourees and chatted enthusiastically to one another.
The actress is a lifelong fan of the royal family and was last year invited to host a British tea party in preparation for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. A delighted Barbara enjoyed sandwiches, scones and cupcakes with 60 scouts in the grounds of Buckingham Palace to encourage other people in the UK to have lunch with their neighbours, friends and family during the Jubilee celebrations.
