Royal fans were delighted when Queen Camilla was spotted browsing the aisles of luxury department store Fortnum & Mason for her Christmas shopping.
It follows plan changes that Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson will not attend the Royal Family's Christmas celebrations at Sandringham next week.
Her Majesty was seen examining festive tea selections at the iconic store, ultimately choosing a cinnamon and orange black tea priced at £13.95.
The Queen spent considerable time looking through the tea tins while fellow shoppers continued their own festive purchases around her.
Royal fans were delighted when Queen Camilla was spotted browsing the aisles of luxury department store Fortnum & Mason for her Christmas shopping
PAA shopper from Romford, Essex, encountered the Queen at around 2:30pm when he looked across the table to find Queen Camilla standing directly opposite him, holding an identical tin.
"I just went to ask the attendant how much the tin of tea was and then I noticed she was standing right opposite me - I could hardly believe it," he told the Mail.
Despite being accompanied by around four security personnel, the shopper was able to approach the same table as the Queen without interference.
"It was funny because I'd never have thought I'd be in touching distance of the Queen. There must have been just over a metre between us," the Essex man recalled.
The visit continues a long-standing royal tradition of Christmas shopping at Fortnum & Mason, which holds the royal warrant
GettyHe added: "She had about four members of security with her but they didn't warn me off when I approached the table - that was a really good feeling."
The visit continues a long-standing royal tradition of Christmas shopping at Fortnum & Mason, which holds the royal warrant.
Queen Elizabeth II was known to make similar festive visits to the store, though these had to be arranged months in advance.
The late Queen and her mother were particularly fond of giving practical gifts, with the store's records showing breakfast trays, garden furniture and hostess trolleys among their preferred presents.
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The Queen's Christmas shopping trip came just a day after she enjoyed a family theatre outing.
PAThe popular upmarket store Fortnum and Mason is located on London's Piccadilly next to The Ritz hotel.
The Queen's Christmas shopping trip came just a day after she enjoyed a family theatre outing.
Her Majesty attended a performance of Operation Mincemeat with relatives, showcasing her busy festive social calendar.
The Queen, 77, opted for a Ford Transit minibus rather than the State Bentley for the private family gathering, reports said.
