Camilla (pictured top, fifth from left), who is also a Patron of the British Equestrian Federation (BEF), welcomed more than 80 guests, including medal winners, horse owners, grooms, coaches and team support staff, to the formal rooms of Clarence House in London to celebrate their five medal haul - two above target - at Greenwich Park.

Dressage gold medallist Laura Bechtolsheimer; eventing silver medallists Tina Cook, William Fox-Pitt, Mary King, Zara Phillips and Nicola Wilson; showjumping gold medallist Peter Charles; Paralympic multi-medallists Natasha Baker, Sophie Christiansen, Deb Criddle and Sophie Wells were among the athletes who attended the royal event.

"Our Patron, HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, is wonderfully supportive of everything we do," chairman of the BEF, Keith Taylor, said.

"HRH played a very personal tribute in hosting and celebrating the successes of our athletes, their owners and the support staff at Clarence House.

"It was a joyous occasion in celebration of the best ever haul of medals at an Olympic and Paralympic Games."

Britain won a record 16 medals across the four equestrian disciplines at the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, including the nation's historic first Olympic medals for dressage and the first showjumping gold in sixty years.

The unbeaten British Paralympic equestrian team also exceeded their Beijing 2008 medal haul, after securing an impressive 11 medals in London.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]