best for ROYALS
At a time of crisis for the Royal Family, the calm and dependable Queen has just kept on carrying on with a smile...
She may only have been Queen for a matter of months, but Camilla has been demonstrating why she’s a true asset to the Royal Family.
Over the past few weeks – following the shock announcement that King Charles and the Princess of Wales had both been forced to halt official engagements, as Kate recovers in hospital from an abdominal surgery and Charles prepared to undergo treatment for his enlarged prostate – it was business as usual for Camilla.
When quizzed about Charles’ health by a wellwisher, she gave a typically no-nonsense response: ‘He’s fine, thank you very much, looking forward to getting back to work.’
Her Majesty was in Aberdeen to open a new ‘Safe Space’ at the Art Gallery, which is dedicated to combating domestic abuse.
Ending violence against women is probably the cause dearest to Camilla’s heart – and she has long been associated with campaigns and respected for her commitment.
Camilla met representatives of Safe Lives Scotland, of which she is a patron, and in Gallery 8, she met artist Shelagh Swanson, who has created artwork inspired by her journey as a survivor of domestic abuse.
Last week, the Queen visited Swindon in Wiltshire marking the 50th anniversary of Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service.
One survivor of domestic abuse who met the Queen said: ‘I was a little bit scared meeting the Queen, but she was lovely. I spoke about wanting to put an end to domestic abuse and she agreed with everything I said. So many victims of domestic abuse don’t come forward but, if it is spoken about more and there is more awareness then, hopefully more women will feel able to speak out.’
While the Queen was not expected to make a speech, she expressed a few words.
‘I visit a lot of refuges every year, but I can see you are doing something very special. You are doing such a fantastic job and helping so many walks of life.
‘You seem to be getting into everywhere, which is what is needed. It isn’t just looking after the victims and the children, it’s getting into schools and teaching them respect.
‘Thank you all so much for playing a wonderful part on the road to obliterating abuse forever.’
The warm response to the visit is just one example of how the 76-year-old has become both a vital and popular member of the Royal Family. Not only is she of course a huge source of support to the King but she has demonstrated that she is a
