I've got Camilla vote - Kimberley

Girls Aloud star Kimberley Walsh claims the Duchess of Cornwall is rooting for her on Strictly Come Dancing - and has promised to vote for her.

Kimberley won the royal seal of approval after she made her debut on the show on Saturday night alongside partner Pasha Kovalev.

The singer said the Duchess - a fan of the BBC1 show - had told her of her backing when she attended a gathering at Clarence House.

Kimberley was a guest alongside stars such as Phillip Schofield at an event to honour figures who had worked as Diamond Champions ambassadors, encouraging people to volunteer for the charity WRVS.

The 30-year-old chart star told fans of her royal encounter as she prepared to head to rehearsals this afternoon. In a message on Twitter she said of the party: "Ooh Charles was there too. Camilla said she'll vote for me on Strictly. Ha! Right, time to get my dancing shoes on."

The Duchess visited the Strictly studios last year, after being invited by show judge Craig Revel Horwood.

She watched the contestants go through a dress rehearsal and met the presenters and panellists, with footage later shown during the popular programme.

Kimberley and the other 13 hopefuls on the show are in rehearsals for the first week of competition next month. Last Saturday's edition of the show - which drew the highest launch audience for three years - introduced the stars to viewers and saw them paired with their professional partners.