The Duchess of Cornwall met with volunteers and organisers for a pre-Platinum Jubilee Big Lunch at Emmaus Mossley in Manchester on Tuesday, with a month to go before the official Jubilee Big Lunch.
Camilla, who has been Patron of Emmaus since 2006, toured the Manchester facilities and joined its staff, volunteers and companions for a celebratory pre-Jubilee Big Lunch to mark the occasion. Camilla is also Patron of The Big Lunch, which will feature prominently during the Platinum Jubilee Weekend, a community lunch where everyone brings a dish to share.
According to Clarence House, “Emmaus Mossley provides help to people of all backgrounds, beliefs and genders who are experiencing homelessness. To join the community, individuals have to commit to working full-time in the social enterprise, and they are provided with education, training and personal development to help them work towards a better future.”
The Duchess of Cornwall was invited to cut a cake marking the anniversary and watched as companions reupholstered donated chairs that will be used for the Jubilee Big Lunch. Afterwards, she toured the bric-a-brac area where second-hand goods are sold to raise money for the homeless community.
The Duchess made a surprising purchase during her visit, buying a commemorative mug from The Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977, revealing to the crowd that she has a collection of royal memorabilia. “I see you’ve got a nice jubilee mug. I am going to buy that! I have a whole collection, believe it or not,” she said, afterwards lamenting that she’d talked too long and didn’t have time for a cup of tea with her new purchase.
“It was a real pleasure to welcome HRH The Duchess of Cornwall to my home for this special Big Jubilee Lunch,” said Gary Barton, one of Emmaus Mossley’s companions who live and work at the facility. “For all companions, volunteers and everyone involved at Emmaus Mossley, this day is a very proud moment and a fitting tribute to everyone who has supported our charity over the past 25 years.
“Everyone had a fantastic day. I showed Her Royal Highness around the Emmaus Mossley Secondhand Superstore and introduced her to fellow companions and volunteers. As Patron of Emmaus, she has met many companions and it was great that she took the time to attend this Big Jubilee Lunch to help us celebrate our 25th anniversary.”
The Big Lunch is a project by The Eden Project. Its chief executive, Peter Stewart, said in a statement Tuesday that Camilla’s engagement “celebrates everything The Big Jubilee Lunch is about; people, community, connection – an opportunity to give back with a lovely sense of relaxed occasion.
“It’s a privilege to meet the companions here at Emmaus and wonderful to see our Royal Patron, HRH The Duchess of Cornwall enjoying one of our very first Big Jubilee Lunches this year. Now it’s time for the rest of the country to get planning as we invite the nation to join in the fun on 2-5 June in this very momentous year.”
