Queen Camilla horses around as she hosts special Palace reception with celebrity guests

Queen Camilla with guests and mini ponies during the reception (Image: Daily Telegraph/Geoff Pugh/PA Wire)

Taking carrots from a silver tray, Camilla fed the vegetables to the horses ahead of a reception to mark 90 years of Brooke, a charity that brings hope to working horses, donkeys and mules.

The Queen, 76, snapped a carrot in two before asking "Are you greedy, Alfie?" as she fed the donkey.

She accidentally dropped a carrot while busily stroking LaLA, the pony, and joked “she’s not going to miss that” as the animal made a beeline for it.

The Queen joked that the animals were “about my size” as she stood in between them to pose for a photo.

However, they were reluctant to stand still, even with the incentive of a carrot.

Camilla has held the role of president for the UK-based international charity, which protects and improves the lives of horses, donkeys and mules, since 2006.

Founded in 1934 initially to support abandoned horses from the First World War, Brooke has gone on to help 1.4 million working animals directly and now works across three continents and 15 countries.

Queen Camilla feeding one of the ponies (Image: Daily Telegraph/Geoff Pugh/PA Wire)

Inside, the Queen spent time speaking with celebrity guests, which included broadcaster Alastair Stewart, TV vet Dr Scott Miller, actress Annette Badland and Rory Bremner - who she enjoyed a lively exchange with, and Brooke staff and supporters.

She acknowledged newsreader Angela Rippon with a slight bow of the head before the pair enjoyed a warm conversation together, chatting about their shared love of horses.

Speaking afterwards, the former Strictly contestant said: “If you love horses it brings you together, it's the glue that brings people together and Her Majesty does.”

The Queen listened intently to CEO Chris Wainwright as he gave a speech to guests in the Bow Room, who thanked her for supporting the charity for so many years.

She then cut an anniversary cake and was presented with a collage of pictures in the shame of a horse to thank the Queen for her continued support.

“I can spot myself in it,” she said, pointing to a picture of herself before giving a spontaneous short speech.

She said: “Can I thank you all for your support. As most of you have seen for yourself it is the most remarkable charity.

Mr Stewart, the charity’s Patron, heaped praise on the Queen for her active role with Brooke.

“She’s a hands-on President and she knows an awful lot about what we do,” he said afterwards.

Queen Camilla cutting an anniversary cake for the charity's 90th (Image: Daily Telegraph/Geoff Pugh/PA Wire)

“Her understanding of the work that we do for all working equids (horses, donkeys and mules) really matters for the animals.

“To give them the kind of quality of life that people like us, and she and her husband, who are involved in the horse world as owners would give to our own horses.”

Meanwhile Mr Wainwright said “it means everything” to have the Queen’s continued support.

Camilla has a longstanding relationship with Brooke and during the King and Queen’s state visit to Kenya last year she saw how the organisation is promoting equine welfare as part of Brooke’s East Africa Programme.

Safeguarding the animals helps give people in the developing world the opportunity to work their way out of poverty as millions rely on healthy working, donkeys and mules for their livelihood and employment.

Brooke trains and supports owners of horses, donkeys and mules, local vets, farriers, harness makers and animal traders to improve standards of care.

They also campaign for policy changes, having played a vital role in convincing African leaders to ban the donkey skin trade in Africa in February, protecting more than 32 million donkeys.