The Duchess of Cornwall hosts a Garden Party to mark 30 years of The National Osteoporosis Society

The Duchess of Cornwall hosted a Garden Party at Clarence House today to celebrate 30 years of The National Osteoporosis Society.

A charity dedicated to improving the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the fragile bone disease, The National Osteoporosis Society aims to end the pain and suffering caused by osteoporosis. The Duchess has been President of the charity since 2001 and became involved with the organisation in 1997 following the death of her mother and grandmother as a result of the illness.

During today’s Garden Party, The Duchess of Cornwall Award was presented to Professor David Marsh, Emeritus Professor of Orthopaedics at University College London. Professor Marsh has a long career as an orthopaedic surgeon and has been heavily involved in the fight against the disease. The Duchess of Cornwall Award recognises outstanding contributions to the field of osteoporosis, and there have been two previous winners. 

Her Royal Highness mingled with guests, including actors Richard E Grant and Felicity Kendall. Before the event ended, The Duchess was presented with a pair of boots with orange laces as part of the ‘Lace up for Bones’ project. The project aims to spread osteoporosis awareness by encouraging people to wear orange laces and share their photos online.

During a speech at the event, The Duchess of Cornwall said: "It has been a tremendous honour to support this remarkable charity and its work, firstly as its Patron and then as its President.

"Huge strides have been made in the diagnosis, treatment and research of osteoporosis and, thanks to the NOS and its wonderful volunteers, people do, at last, know about it; they are now more aware of the risks and they do understand that good diet and exercise (walking in particular) are vital for healthy bones." Read Her Royal Highness's speech in full here,