Literature lover Camilla then went through to the reception, meeting with celebrated actors, authors, directors and representatives of the National Theatre and The Royal Shakespeare Company.

She was even handed Valentine’s Day gifts by her longtime friend, Brandreth – two white jumpers with big red hearts displayed on them for herself and the King. He said he hoped they would keep them “warm on those cold winter nights”.

Guests were keen to show that the monarch was in their thoughts at the event, as they all signed a giant get-well-soon card for the King – who had originally planned to attend.

The star-studded event concluded with performances by Oldman, Robert Lindsay, 74, and Dame Judi Dench, 89.

Before his performance of Cole Porter’s Brush Up Your Shakespeare, Lindsay said Valentine’s Day was the “perfect day to celebrate the King’s love of Shakespeare, and indeed to celebrate the love between the King and the Queen”.

Meanwhile, Dame Judi said it was “lovely” to attend the event and gave a performance of Shakespeare’s Sonnet 116, describing the Bard as “the person in our family who is called the man who pays the rent”.