Ice to see you! Camilla and Dame Judi keep cool on Isle of Wight visit

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The Duchess of Cornwall enjoys an ice cream with Dame Judi Dench (Andrew Matthews/PA) Credit: PA Wire/PA Images

The Duchess of Cornwall and Dame Judi Dench found the perfect way to keep cool on a hot day – enjoying an ice cream.

Camilla and the actress could not resist the sweet treats when they met on the Isle of Wight, where they visited Queen Victoria’s former home, Osborne House.

Dame Judi, who is patron of the Friends of Osborne House and has played Victoria in a number of films, welcomed the duchess to the island after she arrived at the Queen’s private beach.

The actress showed Camilla the house’s restored Durbar Room, which was one of the locations for Victoria And Abdul, a film starring Dame Judi in the title role.

Osborne House was purchased by Victoria and Prince Albert in 1845 and was one of the Queen’s favourite family homes – she once said: “It is impossible to imagine a prettier spot.”

After her death in 1901, the house was given to the state and parts of the pavilion first opened to the public as early as 1904.

It is now cared for by English Heritage and is open to the public year round.

The Duchess of Cornwall and Dame Judi Dench on the balcony of the Swiss Cottage in the grounds of Osborne House Credit: Andrew Matthews/PA

Dame Judi and the duchess went for a carriage ride from Osborne’s Swiss cottage, where Camilla met staff and volunteers, to the main house.

Osborne House was built by Thomas Cubitt, master builder and developer of much of the Duke of Westminster’s Belgravia estate in London and also Camilla’s forebear, who designed the property with Prince Albert.

Camilla and Dame Judi ride in a horse and carriage Credit: Andrew Matthews/PA

She also visited Cowes Town Centre and named the Red Funnel company’s latest high-speed passenger ferry, Red Jet 7, during a ceremony watched by guests.

Camilla ended her visit to the island at a reception at the Royal Yacht Squadron where she told guests: “I just wish I could stay a bit longer and have a swim in the sea. Sadly that’s not to be.

“Going to Osborne House is always such a treat as it was built by my great-great grandfather and I feel very fond of the place.

“To come and launch Red Funnel 7 was very exciting, and it worked! Last time I launched a ship in Southampton I pressed the button and nothing happened… so I was very pleased today it ran like clockwork.

“So, thank you all very much and I very much hope I shall be back soon, hopefully on a holiday.”