The Duchess of Cornwall celebrated International Women’s Day with a special reception at Clarence House, meeting with a range of inspirational women — including her fictional counterpart.
Emerald Fennell, who played Camilla on seasons three and four of “The Crown” was at the event, and the Duchess took the potentially uncomfortable meeting in her typical good humour.
“For me, it’s very reassuring to know that if I should fall off my perch at any moment, my fictional alter ego is here to take over,” Camilla said in a speech. “So, Emerald — be prepared!”
In a video shared by reporter Georgie Prodromou on Twitter, Fennell said how “it was particularly nice to meet her today on International Women’s Day because, you know, she does so much for so many, particularly female-centric charities.”
The Duchess of Cornwall, who serves as president of WOW (Women of the World), was joined by 90 people at the event, including former Prime Minister Theresa May, singer Charlotte Church, Vogue editor Edward Enninful, and Mel B of The Spice Girls.
She was also joined by three women who worked as judges in Afghanistan before the Taliban returned to power. Fawzia Amini, Ferozan Easar Qasimi, and Alia Popal were evacuated, along with more than 100 other women and their families working in the field, thanks to the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute.
The judges also joined Camilla for tea at Clarence House the week before the event, along with Baroness Helena Kennedy, Director of the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute.
“I very much hope that you have all been able to speak to Fawzia, Ferozan and Alia, to hear them describe what life is now like for female journalists and judges in Afghanistan,” the Duchess of Cornwall said.
“Their stories, of the humanity behind the headlines, are unbearably moving – but they must, and they do, have the power to stir us to action, as do the heart-breaking stories from Ukraine of brutal attacks on democracy and freedom.”
The reception took place ahead of the WOW Festival, which will be held from 11-13 March at London’s Southbank Centre.
The 12th annual event, according to Clarence House, is “the biggest, most comprehensive festival celebrating women, girls and non-binary people in the world.”
