Queen Camilla is poised to welcome royalty, dignitaries, experts and survivors to Buckingham Palace when she hosts her first major reception for her work with violence against women.
Buckingham Palace announced that the Queen Consort would host a reception during the United Nations’ 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence and make a significant speech about her work in this area.
Joining Queen Camilla will be several royal women who have also made women’s issues the cornerstone of their royal portfolios: Queen Mathilde of the Belgians, Queen Rania of Jordan, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark and the Countess of Wessex.
Buckingham Palace further announced that dignitaries and experts, including Commonwealth Secretary-General Baroness Scotland, Melanie Brown, Fiona Bruce, Yalda Hakim, Lorraine Kelly, Emma Barnett, Zara McDermott and Hayley Atwell, are all expected to attend as well as survivors and their families, politicians and ambassadors, and representatives from some of Queen Camilla’s longstanding patronages, SafeLives, Women’s Aid and Refuge.
“The Queen Consort has worked to highlight organisations supporting victims of rape, sexual assault and domestic violence for over ten years, undertaking numerous visits to learn more about the issues, meet survivors, and highlight the invaluable contribution made by people and organisations working in this area,” Buckingham Palace stated, noting that her work in this area dates back to the earlier years of her royal career, beginning in 2009.
Her work in 2009 “left her with a strong desire to raise awareness about rape, domestic abuse and violence against women and to try to help those affected,” according to Buckingham Palace.
Queen Camilla vowed, upon her husband’s accession, that she would continue her work for awareness and advocacy towards violence against women and girls, and carried out her first solo engagement in her new role with a visit to the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital to see the work the hospital does with SafeLives to support survivors of sexual and domestic abuse.
