A broken leg suffered by Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall may have been due to osteoporosis , an expert has suggested.

The Duchess suffered a broken leg after putting her foot down a hole while out walking on the Queen's Balmoral estate in the Scottish highlands.

Osteoporosis expert Professor David Reid of Aberdeen University told the Daily Mail: "It could be the result of osteoporosis but it depends on the nature of the injury," adding that a twisted leg can lead to a break even for a fit person without the condition.

The Duchess has a family history of osteoporosis as both her mother and grandmother suffered from the disease and she herself is the president of the National Osteoporosis Society.

Sufferers from the condition may find that using an ultrasound probe helps to ease their condition.

Another thing osteoporosis sufferers may do to help themselves is drink beer, according to researchers at the University of California.

In findings published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture last month, the experts noted that hops contain silicon, which strengthens bones.