Queen Camilla bakes cupcakes with children at Somerset farm

The Queen sampled homemade lemon curd whilst helping children bake cupcakes during a visit to an educational farm in Somerset. Camilla visited Lower Shockerwick Farm near Bath, which operates as a learning centre for young people facing challenges at school.

The farm represents the seventh site run by Jamie's Farm, a charity that has welcomed more than 16,000 young people since its establishment in 2009. The organisation operates six existing sites across Bath, Hereford, Monmouth, Lewes, Skipton and a city farm in London Waterloo.

Royal patron meets farm founders

During her visit, Camilla, who serves as patron of the charity, met founders Tish Feilden and her son Jamie. She was given a tour of the farm by Mr Feilden and co-chief executive Jake Curtis, meeting staff, volunteers and young people working in the orchards, kitchens and gardens.

In the kitchen, the Queen encountered 11-year-olds Mantaj and Mia, who were preparing lemon curd cupcakes using preserve made the previous day. She also assisted with watering calibrachoa, geraniums and verbena that had been planted by Gabriel, aged 10, and 11-year-old Adrian.

Promise to visit Yorkshire site

To mark the occasion, the Queen unveiled a commemorative stone plaque and revealed her plans to visit the charity's Skipton location. "I am yet to get to Yorkshire, but that will be next on my agenda, I promise you I will get there," she told guests.

"It's really thanks to everybody here that this has happened at this really wonderful ancient farm and I look forward to seeing it in a year's time with all the children." Before departing, Camilla presented a basket of cuttings and seeds from her private garden near Lacock in Wiltshire, including foxgloves, hollyhocks, mint, rosemary and blackcurrant.

Supporting vulnerable young people

"I hope I can come back and see them thriving," she added. Mr Feilden thanked the Queen for officially opening Lower Shockerwick Farm, saying: "We really appreciate your support, interest and advocacy for the work that we do."

Jamie's Farm works with young people typically aged between 11 and 16 who are at risk of social or academic exclusion due to behavioural, attendance or mental health challenges. During their stay, participants step away from daily pressures by handing in their phones and disconnecting from technology.

(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.