The Duchess of Cornwall said she was "thrilled to be back", as she warmed the hearts of people in Hampshire today.

Second on a busy working day was a visit to Southampton General Hospital which holds a fond place in the Duchess' heart because it was the place she came on her first ever solo royal visit in 2005.

It was all smiles at the hospital as huge crowds had gathered to catch their first glimpse of the Duchess who was dressed in a striking pink Anna Valentine coat, winter dress and black boots.

Camilla looked relaxed as she greeted doctors, nurses, patients and visitors at the hospital saying how pleased she was to return.

The Duchess made her way immediately to the hospital's Osteoporosis Centre to celebrate its 20th anniversary in her role as president of the National Osteoporosis Society. It was her third visit to the general hospital.

Once at the centre, the Duchess chatted to senior staff about various research projects including a study into pregant women.

The highlight of the visit came when the Duchess met the 500th baby to be part of the study- Rowen and his mum Verity Hall.

Camilla, who is expecting a royal baby in the family, was at ease as she played with the youngster who greeted her by stroking her face.

The Duchess giggled with the press as the cheeky baby reached out for her sparkling bracelet before even grabbing her royal handbag, a clutch bag.

She said to mum Verity: "They love something sparkly" adding: "you want to see what is inside dont you."

She was then handed a posy by a seven year old girl saying: "thank you very much they are really pretty, they match my dress and yours too."

The Duchess then attended a reception for the Southampton and District National Osteoporosis Society supporters group and medical staff at The Medical Research Council Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit which conducts vital research into preventable causes of common chronic disorders and their complications such as osteoporosis.

The Duchess highlighted statistics which show that one in two women and one in five men in the UK over the age of 50 are affected by fragile bones.

Camilla has been the president of the society since 2001 and was patron between 1997 and 2001.

She has previously spoken of her anguish at losing her beloved mother the Honourable Rosalind Shand aged 72 to the cruel fragile-bone disease. The Duchess' grandmother died from the same condition eight years earlier.