THE Duchess of Cornwall will receive an honorary doctorate at the University of Southampton next week.

She will receive it in recognition of her work on osteoporosis, a condition which can cause bones to become brittle as a result of the loss of tissue.

The Prince of Wales's wife has been president of the National Osteoporosis Society since 2001, having been a patron from 1997 to 2001.

She lost her mother and grandmother to the disease.

She will visit the university to receive her award on Thursday.

A statement said: "HRH The Duchess of Cornwall has shown inspiring leadership in supporting patients, researchers, policy-makers and health professionals engaged in the management of osteoporosis.

"As President of the National Osteoporosis Society, and a previous speaker for the International Osteoporosis Foundation, she has been a champion for all who work with, or suffer from, this debilitating disorder which leads to many thousands of fractures each year.

"The excellence of the clinical service and research programme led by Professor Cyrus Cooper at the University of Southampton would not have been possible without the encouragement and support that she has given."