Yesterday, The Duchess of Cornwall visited the Independent Television News (ITN) Headquarters in London, to help celebrate the 21st Anniversary of Channel 5 News. Eagerly awaiting her arrival, was Sian Williams, as well as other members from the Channel 5 News Team.
As a tour of the station began, Camilla was taken to the gallery and given an abridged lesson in how the controls worked, how the cameras are operated and also watch the professionals hone their skills during a news bit. She was even treated to a behind the scenes look at the way the news is put together.
Next on the agenda, was a visit to the news set, where the Duchess was given the honour of slicing the first piece of celebratory Channel 5 birthday cake. While taking to her task of slicing, Camilla inquired about the flavour of the pale yellow and blue cake, to which she was told, coincidentally, lemon and elderflower. Obviously, after last weekend’s Royal Wedding, lemon and elderflower cakes have now become extremely popular!
With memories of the magical Royal Wedding still fresh on everyone’s minds, the wife of Prince Charles was of course asked her thoughts about the royal celebration. She commented: “It was such a lovely day. Just everything went right. We all wondered whatever would happen next and then everything went right. The only thing is that we are still losing our voices now.”
Additionally, during her visit to Channel 5, she shared that: “It’s nice to have something that is uplifting rather than depressing. Everything was just perfect, including the weather, which couldn’t have been better. It was a beautiful day.”
For her final part in the day’s events, The Duchess of Cornwall took part in an editorial news conference. Camilla was asked by some on the panel, why is it that she has become so passionately involved in the fight against domestic abuse and such an advocate for abuse survivors. As the wife of The Prince of Wales, Camilla has made it her personal vow that she will campaign against the unthinkable subject of domestic abuse and will do whatever it is that she can to support and offer a bit of comfort to those who have been so viciously assailed.
She feels that by aiding and encouraging these strong, brave women, they will in turn garner the tenacity and courage to use their voices to lift up other abuse sufferers. Adding to her comments, The Duchess said that she believes this once taboo subject has now come out into the open light and that everyone must now play their part in keeping it out from the shadows. She wholeheartedly feels that by talking openly about it, we can erase some of the stigma associated with it.
After her first visit to a women’s refuge, Camilla was so deeply touched and affected by the absolutely horrific details so bravely shared by the victims, that she felt compelled to do whatever was in her power to assist them and to further champion the voices of the survivors.
In just a few years time, The Duchess of Cornwall says that she has absolutely seen a change in the number of courageous and resolute survivors, who have valiantly chosen to share their harrowing versions of abuse that they have endured. Those stories help to give others the strength and determination they need to speak up on their own.
Wanting to give a little bit of comfort to those hurting, Camilla organised free care bags full of toiletries, that are given to anyone who has just gone through the severe trauma of an attack and then processing by law enforcement. For something that seems so small, these wash bags create an almost transformative and restorative affect on a shaken victim, having just gone through a difficult examination. Some recipients of the bags have even reached out to write a note to The Duchess of Cornwall, expressing their gratitude for giving them something that helped them, during a time when they truly needed a bit of up-lifting. It is genuinely moving to hear Camilla say that she just really wishes that she could do more, a very humble sentiment from a lovely woman who exudes warmth, tenderness, and a willingness to improve the plight of others.
2 comments
I have been so touched by pure passion of camilla to stop domestic abuse, trying to make even a small difference.
Many people fell in love with Diana, Princess of Wales (a difficult act to follow) but HRH Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall is making her way into the royal duties and into the british people´hearts. After more than 10 years married to the heir to the throne, it was about time