The Queen's bad back sadly stopped her being able to attend Friday's investiture ceremony but thankfully she was still able to carry out a visit to Eton College.Due to the prolonged amount of standing required at the ceremony, which awarded a CBE to TV chef Mary Berry, it was decided that the Queen should cancel her appearance and rely on son Charles to carry out the duty.
Whilst Charles was at Windsor Castle earlier in the day, his mother was just a stones throw away at the famous school formerly attended by Prime Minister David Cameron and Princes William and Harry.Pupils and staff were excited to welcome the Queen, who wore a silk detailed light blue jacket and matching skirt, to join them for dinner.
The 86-year-old monarch had been complaining of twinges in her back, which did not improve in time to allow her to award Mary Berry.The investiture was the icing on the cake for Mary, 77, who has published more than 50 cook books and now enjoys her role as a judge on BBC show The Great British Bake Off.
And Mary did not mind that the Queen was absent for the presentation, saying: "this is a lovely finale to the year and I'm immensely honoured."
Prince Charles, who jetted down from Edinburgh for the the ceremony, also awarded Helen Asprey, William and Harry's long-serving personal private secretary, who was made a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order.
