The Duchess of Cornwall was out and about in Kilburn in London earlier today, where she carried out visits to the Granville Youth and Community Centre and the Kiln Theatre.
Her first stop was the Granville Youth and Community Centre in Kilburn, where she helped to celebrate Brent’s status as the 2020 London Borough City of Culture.
The Duchess of Cornwall visits the Granville Youth and Community Centre in Kilburn, during a visit to Brent (Clarence House)
Brent is a London borough in the northwest of the capital. It was created in April 1965 and forms part of outer London, including the areas of Kilburn, Wembley, Neasden and Harlesden. Ahead of The Duchess’ visit, a clean up operation was underway to make sure the area was in ship shape for a royal visit!
Inside of the centre, Camilla got to speak with a wide variety of local residents – including community groups operating in the borough and young people growing up there. She heard about life in the borough, as well as more about what was taking place throughout the year as part of the ‘London Borough of Culture 2020’ plans.
The Duchess was also treated to a range of performances during the visit: the Ellis-Par Irish Dance Academy performed a routine, as well as an Albanian dance group. Talented local poet Just Ori, who grew up on a South Kilburn Estate, recited a poem about Brent.
The Culture Fund supports local community projects, including an Irish dance group, who regularly use @TheGranvilleSK. #Brent2020 @LBOC2020 pic.twitter.com/IA8PURVfLf
— Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) February 19, 2020
The different performances showed off the range of cultures that can be found in Kilburn, and Brent at large – it has the highest Irish population of any London area with 4.7% being born in Ireland and an even higher percentage being second generation. It also has a sizeable Afro-Caribbean population and is home to those of other descent, including Indian, Pakistani and Eritrean.
The centre, which is inclusive accessible and affordable for all local people and groups, is a multi-use community building which encompasses affordable workplaces and studios for the areas social enterprises and creative artists. On her tour of the building, the Duchess got to meet some of the local businesses and enterprises which call the centre home.
Camilla met local businesses and groups in the enterprise space (Clarence House)
The London Borough of Culture Award aims to bring Londoners together and to inspire young people in London to put culture at the heart of their local communities. The Duchess is a supporter of the award and last year visited a gallery in Walthamstow while Waltham Forrest held the title.
It was then on to the Kiln Theatre, and internationally renowned theatre which produces work presenting the world through a variety of lenses. During the visit, the Royal helped them to mark their 40th anniversary and she also got to see their recent renovation work.
During a tour of the theatre, Camilla enjoyed a youth theatre workshop before she made her way onto the recently converted stage ‘in the round’. Standing on the stage, the future Queen spoke with those involved in the theatre’s current play ‘Pass Over’, the first play to be performed in the new layout. She spoke with them all before posing for photos.
Before leaving, Camilla sat down for a conversation with agents from the Brent 2020 social change project, The Agency. The Agency works with young people from marginalised areas to create social enterprises, events and projects that will have a positive impact on their local communities.
