Queen Camilla is being supported by friends Sarah Troughton and The Marchioness of Lansdowne, who were by her side at the coronation as she attended the first public outing since King Charles' cancer diagnosis was revealed.

Queen Camilla was supported by those closest to her as she attended her first public outing since King Charles' cancer diagnosis was revealed.

The royal, 76, made a five-hour drive from her husband's side in Sandringham to Wiltshire to the charity music evening at Salisbury Cathedral after the local helipad was flooded.

When she arrived at the event, she was flanked by Sarah Troughton, Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire and one of her companions, and the Marchioness of Lansdowne, Fiona Petty-Fitzmaurice, who was also at her side at last year's coronation.

Speaking at the event, Camilla said 75-year-old King Charles, who underwent his first treatment earlier this week, was “very touched” by all the messages of support he has received from around the world.

Ben Abbott, 40, an intensive care paramedic at Wiltshire Air Ambulance, said: 'I hope His Majesty is doing well, Madam, we are all very sad to hear the news.'

Her Majesty replied: “He is doing extremely well, considering the circumstances. He is very touched by all the letters and messages that the public has sent from everywhere. That's very cheerful.'

Camilla, who has not left her husband's side since his diagnosis, has been with him in Norfolk all week as he recovers.

As she made her first public engagement since Buckingham Palace revealed news of his diagnosis, the Queen was supported by two of her closest confidantes.

Marquise Lansdowne has been a long-time friend of the Queen and supported her in the 1990s when details of her relationship with Charles emerged.

She was also by her side when Camilla was crowned with her husband last May. The Marquise spoke out in support of her friend after Prince Harry's biography, Spare, was published.

In an interview with The Sunday Times, Fiona, the Marchioness of Lansdowne, said Prince Harry's comments had 'hurt' the Queen.

She said: 'Of course it bothers her, of course it hurts. But she doesn't let it get to her heart. “Her philosophy is always: 'Don't make a big deal of it and it will be fine, least said, quickest mended.'”

Meanwhile, Sarah is one of the Queen's six 'companions' and has been Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire since 2012 and the first woman ever to hold the position since it was created in the 16th century.

Sarah is the King's second cousin, as her grandfather was the brother of Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. She also has experience as a maid of honor to Katharine, Duchess of Kent.

The mother-of-three is married to Peter Troughton, custodian of the Royal Collection and also pro-chancellor at Bath University.

Sarah is herself a trustee of the Community Foundation for Wiltshire and Swindon, where she lives.

Since taking on the role of Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Sarah's duties have included overseeing arrangements for royal visits to Wiltshire by members of the Royal Family.

She also represents the monarch and presents awards and medals on his behalf, and liaises with the Wiltshire units of the armed forces.

Sarah previously said of Camilla on Good Morning Britain: 'I don't think there's much that will surprise you, all I can tell you is that she is the kindest, friendliest and funniest friend you could have, for all generations . that includes our children.'

In November 2022, it was revealed that Camilla had ditched the traditional title of 'Ladies In Waiting' for her companions.

Instead, she announced her six 'Queen's Companions', who provide Her Majesty with support and companionship.

The Queen has long been due to attend the musical evening to celebrate the work of three Wiltshire charities and traveled five hours from her husband's side to Sandringham to attend.

A source said: 'It's been a tough week but Her Majesty was determined not to let people down. She knows the organizers personally and there are three charities with which she is very involved.

“Moreover, she was afraid that if she canceled at the last minute, it would cause all kinds of alarm about His Majesty, who is actually doing well.

“She's always been a go-getter and decided that if a 400-mile, 10-hour round trip was the only way to do it, she would do it.”

The Queen has a home in Lacock, Wiltshire, and she chatted to the paramedics about their work. Mr Abbott said: 'I told her we always wave when we fly over Lacock and she said she always waves back.'