The Duchess of Cornwall has visited Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court Palace for the first time since taking over from The Queen as a patron.

The Duchess was accompanied by the Duchess of Gloucester, who is president of the Royal School, and she received a short tutorial in hand embroidery learning the traditional technique of Jacobean Crewelwork.

Tutor Jacqui McDonald said: “I taught The Duchess of Cornwall Fly Stitch which is one of the stitches used in Jacobean Crewelwork and the first technique we teach our Certificate & Diploma students.

“Her Royal Highness was a quick learner and would make a natural stitcher! I very much hope she returns soon for a full lesson.”

The royal visitors also met with staff, students and volunteers, and enjoyed a tour of the school’s Education Department, Embroidery Studio and the current exhibition, ‘Embellishment in Fashion’.

Eleanor Latham, a second-year student, said: “We talked about my work and the colour scheme I had chosen which matched her outfit! It was such a fantastic opportunity to meet a member of the Royal Family.”

The school also presented The Duchess of Cornwall with a bespoke velvet cushion for her hat pins, embroidered by its expert embroidery studio.