Princess Anne has officially opened a new trauma-informed support hub in Edinburgh designed to help victims and witnesses of crime give evidence without attending court in person.
The Princess Royal, who serves as president of Victim Support Scotland, visited the charity’s new national office at Broadside House on Powderhall Road on 30 June as part of Royal Week in Scotland.
During the engagement, Her Royal Highness toured the new facilities, met staff and volunteers, and spoke with survivors and families who have been supported by the charity after experiencing crime.
The new Edinburgh centre includes state-of-the-art remote evidence suites, allowing vulnerable victims and witnesses to give evidence directly to courtrooms through secure high-definition video links. The facilities are designed to provide a calm, trauma-informed environment, helping to reduce the stress and anxiety often associated with attending court in person.
Victim Support Scotland, an independent volunteer-led charity, supports around 50,000 people across Scotland each year by providing emotional support, practical assistance and guidance through the criminal justice process.
Speaking after the visit, interim Chief Executive Debbie Adams said: “We were honoured to welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal to officially open our Edinburgh office.
“We are incredibly proud of this welcoming, trauma-informed space, and have had resoundingly positive feedback from people who have used our new remote evidence suites.
“The Princess Royal is a great supporter of Victim Support Scotland, and we hugely value the interest she takes in our work and the time she takes to speak with people who have been impacted by crime.”
As president of Victim Support Scotland, the Princess Royal has long championed the charity’s work, having attended its national volunteer conference in 2025 and visited its Glasgow base in 2023.
Supporting victims of domestic abuse and violence has become an increasingly prominent priority for the Royal Family. Queen Camilla has used her platform to shine a light on domestic and sexual violence, meeting survivors, backing frontline organisations and repeatedly calling for greater awareness of violence against women and girls. While the Princess Royal’s patronage focuses on supporting all victims of crime, her latest engagement reflects the wider Royal Family’s continued commitment to improving services for those affected by abuse and violence.
The official opening took place during the Royal Family’s annual Royal Week in Scotland, a programme of engagements celebrating communities, charities and organisations across the country.
