In her first major public appearance since being named Queen, the Duchess of Cornwall had a sweet chat with Prince William today.

Camilla, 74, embraced her stepson as they arrived at Westminster Abbey for the Commonwealth Day event, which was also attended by Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cambridge.

Camilla, dressed in a purple gown, appeared delighted to chat with William, 39, as the pair giggled, while Charles, 73, and Kate Middleton, 40, appeared to share a joke.

According to expert lip reader Jacqui Press, the four exchanged sweet words, with Camilla telling William ‘thank you’, ‘lovely’, and ‘oh wow.’

She went on to say that Charles told Kate, ‘We could come and see you that Saturday, but we are not available that evening.’

The group was gathering to commemorate the Commonwealth’s 54 member states at an annual service that the Queen had missed.

Her Majesty had previously stated that she hoped the Commonwealth would “remain an influential force for good in our world for many generations to come,” as she renewed her 1947 promise to “always be devoted in service.” Buckingham Palace issued the head of state’s Commonwealth Day Message today, ahead of the annual service.

The Queen, who has recently recovered from coronavirus and has been experiencing mobility issues, had hoped to join Charles, Camilla, William, and Kate at the important event in the royal calendar.

Camilla’s first major public appearance since The Queen gave her royal approval for the duchess to use the title of Queen when her husband, Prince Charles, becomes King.

The Queen has a close relationship with her stepchildren, and the Duke of Cambridge is said to be’supportive’ of the Queen’s decision to make his stepmother Queen consort.

According to sources, Prince William was not involved in the decision-making process but is’respectful’ of his grandmother’s logic.

According to sources, while William and Camilla’s relationship was not easy at first – or even for a number of years after her marriage to his father – the second in line to the throne is pragmatic about his father’s life and, now, the monarchy’s future.

‘The duke is supportive,’ a well-placed palace source confirmed last month to the Daily Mail.

Another pointed out that, while he was not involved in the final decision-making process, the prince would have discussed the matter with his father and, in effect, given his approval.

‘None of this can have been easy for him,’ one insider said.

‘There were huge family rows in the early stages of Charles and Camilla’s marriage as everyone found their feet. William didn’t have the best relationship with his father back then.

‘However, he sees Camilla as having made his father happy, which he has accepted.

‘His relationship with Prince Charles is stronger than it has ever been.’ He isn’t particularly close to his stepmother, but they get along fine and have become quite the blended family. He also admires his grandmother and her wisdom more than anything else in the world. If it’s right for her, it’ll be right for him, too.’

Friends say William still believes he has a responsibility to champion his late mother’s legacy and will never shy away from discussing Princess Diana, her accomplishments, or the way she was treated, not just by the Royal Family but by the public at large.