The Queen and Prince Philip paid a visit to Battersea Dogs and Cats Home on Tuesday. Her Majesty toured the facilities and greeted celebrity ambassadors including model David Gandy, who appeared thrilled to be in her company.
Dressed in a smart blue suit, David looked suitably dapper for the occasion and bowed his head as he shook the Queen's hand. He later said it was an "honour" to meet the monarch on his Instagram account.
"An honour to be part of the opening of the new Mary Tealby Kennels at @batterseadogsandcatshome. Even greater honour to meet Her Majesty the Queen" he wrote alongside a photo from the event.
© Photo: Getty ImagesDavid Gandy said it was an honour to meet the Queen
The Queen visited the animal rescue centre to open its new Mary Tealby Kennels. The state-of-the-art kennels, which have been named after the centre's founder, will provide accommodation for 56 animals and cost £4.8million to develop.
Upon their arrival, the royal couple were welcomed by a "dog guard of honour" which comprised of a dozen of the 9000 dogs that come to the centre each year. The Queen and Prince Philip were then greeted by the centre's Chief Executive, Claire Horton, Chairman Heather Love and her cousin, Prince Michael of Kent, who is president of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.
They later met a group of supporters of the rescue centre, including Battersea ambassadors Amanda Holden and Paul O'Grady.
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe Queen visited the centre to open their new kennels
The Queen is well known for her love of animals – especially dogs - and has been the rescue centre's royal patron for almost 60 years. Her Majesty currently has two pet corgis and two dorgis but managed to resist the charms of a 12-year-old corgi called Beama - despite the best efforts of Britain's Got Talent judge Amanda.
"You are not tempted to take a corgi home?" Amanda asked the Queen, to which she replied: "Not at the moment, no."
The Queen's last public engagement was on Friday, when she attended a service marking the end of combat operations in Afghanistan at St Paul's Cathedral, along with her grandsons Prince William and Prince Harry, and the Duchess of Cambridge, née Kate Middleton.
