Queen Camilla was forced to break official protocol during an official tribute in Virginia on Thursday, as she appeared to be attacked by a bee.
The royal, 78, was joined by her husband, King Charles, at the Arlington National Cemetery to lay a wreath and posy at the Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier. A military band played four muffled ruffles and taps before a moment of silent remembrance.
However, the solemn moment was briefly interrupted when a bee appeared to fly into the vision of the King’s wife during the official salute. Camilla was forced to break her composure to swat it away, only for it to fly towards Charles.
She tried to protect her husband from the insect by wafting it with her hands, forcing her to take a step backwards and break formation.
The tomb is the final resting place of an unnamed US war hero from the First World War, followed by conflicts in 1958 and 1984. It has been guarded by soldiers 24 hours a day since 1937 and was also visited by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 1957.
Powerful moment
The King and Queen were greeted by a 21-gun salute as they arrived at the cemetery on Thursday.
© WireImageThe royal couple was met by Major General Antoinette Gant, the Arlington National Cemetery military representative, and ambassador Monica Crowley, US chief of protocol.
Before leaving, they visited the Canadian Cross of Sacrifice, dedicated to US citizens who volunteered for the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) and lost their lives in the First World War.
They also met serving military personnel from the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Later, Charles and Camilla attended a “block party” in Virginia to celebrate the 250th anniversary of independence, before the King boarded a flight to Bermuda, for his solo trip there over the coming days.
Part of bee-ing a royal!
© Matt PorteousDealing with bees and insects seems to be a part of royal life! In fact, the late Queen Elizabeth II was forced to unexpectedly deal with a swarm of bees when she reviewed the Grenadier Guards at Windsor on an engagement in 2003.
Luckily, her husband, Prince Philip, was on hand to help out, while royal beekeeper Peter Sheppard stood in to protect her.
Beekeeping has become something of a royal hobby in recent years, with King Charles, the Princess of Wales, and Meghan Markle all known to be keen apiarists.
Poor Queen Mary of Denmark, however, had a nasty experience last summer when she was stung by a wasp during an official engagement and was taken away to receive medical attention.