Women who lead
We champion the remarkable women who have dazzled, impressed and inspired us with their amazing achievements in 2023
QUEEN CAMILLA
Unquestionably, the most memorable national occasion of 2023 was the Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla on 6 May at Westminster Abbey. Some 2,200 invited guests attended the event, with hundreds of millions more watching all around the world. At the age of 75 (she has since turned 76) – a time when many women would be well into retirement or possibly looking forward to winding down a little – taking on one of the most high-profile positions in the world must have been incredibly daunting for Queen Camilla. Especially since every move is being captured on film and commented upon by the world’s media. But, not only did she exude poise and elegance during the three-hour-long service (even when many people worried that the huge and heavy crown originally made for Queen Mary in 1911 looked rather unstable on her head), she has, in the following months, seemingly become ever more confident in her stride.
Queen Camilla energetically supports more than 90 charities as patron or president (including writing for GH earlier this year about supporting victims of domestic abuse), and represents the monarchy at numerous public engagements, both with and without her husband. Probably the most notable occasion recently was when she visited France with The King on a state visit hosted by President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, which was widely applauded as successfully bringing the two nations closer together once more.
With particular passion points including literacy, campaigning for awareness and research into osteoporosis (which both her grandmother and mother died as a result of) and children’s hospices, it will be fascinating to watch how our new Queen uses her platform and influence to effect positive change in the years ahead.
BARONESS LOUISE CASEY, member of the House of Lords
The publication of Baroness Louise Casey of Blackstock’s excoriating report into the operations of the Metropolitan Police last March was momentous.
She described her own findings as ‘rigorous, stark and unsparing’, concluding the Met to be institutionally racist, sexist and homophobic. She said the force also needed to accept it was institutionally corrupt, and uncovered widespread bullying as well as inadequate management.
It was a landmark moment in holding an institutional power to account.
During her career, Baroness Casey has instigated the ‘Everyone In’ scheme, which found beds for 15,000 homeless people at the start of the pandemic. She’s involved in The Felix Project, which works to redistribute surplus supermarket food to families struggling to afford to eat, and she’s also co-chair of The Coronation Food Project.
Bar
