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Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Daily Mail
How 'fiercely feminist' Queen Camilla has committed to championing charities helping women for more than three decades
She was once described as a 'fiercely modern feminist'. Queen Camilla, who turns 78 today, has spent more than three decades championing charities helping women - following some tragic family losses. As patron of more than 90 charities, the Queen has worked to highlight organisations supporting victims of rape and sexual assault, as well as bone diseases. Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told OK! magazine: 'You don't look at Camilla who has never had a career and who was always linked in with the horsey, aristocratic crowd and think "Oh, there walks a feminist". 'But she absolutely is a feminist. She has stood up, first of all quite quietly, but now very noisily for women's rights and equality.' Camilla's work with survivors of domestic abuse and campaigners was covered in the ITV documentary Her Majesty The Queen: Behind Closed Doors in November 2024. In the documentary she said: 'One of the most difficult things about domestic abuse, to understand, it's not the bruises and the black eyes, which, unfortunately you see, through violence, this is something that creeps up very slowly and, far too often, it ends up with women being killed. 'By scratching the surface, you get a terrible shock. It's a heinous crime.' She added: 'If we could just get more people discussing it, talking about it, people are so shocked by what they hear that, rather like me, they want to say "oh, hang on a minute" perhaps there's something we can do to put an end to it.' Camilla visited nine rape crisis centres in 2009 and began her advocacy work after hearing victims' accounts. In 2011 she opened the Oakwood Place Essex Sexual Assault Referral Centre at Brentwood Community Hospital. She is patron of the Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust which provides home security for victims of crime and domestic abuse and of SafeLives, a charity that campaigns against domestic abuse and violence. In 2013 the then Duchess of Cornwall held a reception at Clarence House bringing together an important group of national stakeholders and key decision-makers. This was the first time in the UK that such a wide range of organisations had been drawn together specifically to discuss rape and sexual abuse. At the occasion, she introduced a plan to help the victims: about 750 washbags, created by her Clarence House staff and packed with luxury toiletries, were distributed to victims at the centres. She partnered with Boots in 2017 to create a line of washbags to be given to sexual assault referral centres around the country. As of 2024, it had donated more than 50,000 washbags. Camilla also lent her support to a family campaigning to lower the age of domestic abuse classification to include under-16s. She also described the scale of violence within the home, coupled with social media, as 'terrifying'. The Queen spoke with the parents of Holly Newton, a 15-year-old who was stabbed to death by her ex-boyfriend in Northumberland in January 2023, at a reception held at her London residence, Clarence House. Holly's mother Micala Trussler said that it was 'really amazing' to meet the Queen, adding: 'She was really down to earth and lovely and she was really passionate about our campaign. 'She is supporting us in our campaign and she's looking to help young people as well. She said she's sorry for our loss and we shouldn't have to be here doing this.' Her husband Lee Trussler said that the Queen's support meant that their campaign was 'getting heard in the highest place in the country'. He added: 'We're hoping other people are going to take notice that the Queen's paying attention so they can get behind us and get the law changed to protect the kids.' In 2016 at a reception hosted by the Duchess in Clarence House author Kathy Lette praised Camilla as a 'feminist' who 'takes no prisoners'. Lette said the choice of charities and causes the Queen supported showed she was a feminist, adding: 'She surrounds herself with strong women, strong female friends. She's earthy, she's witty, she's wise and deliciously self-deprecating. 'I don't know that she calls herself a feminist, but her behaviour is certainly of one. I would say she is a feminist, for sure.' As well as championing charities which support women going through domestic violence or abuse, the Queen has been involved with the Royal Osteoporosis Society since 1994 after losing her mother and grandmother to the disease. Camilla described her anguish at watching her beloved 'Mama', Rosalind Shand, die a 'crippling, slow and agonising death' from the fragile-bone disease in 1994, aged 72. Her maternal grandmother, Sonia Keppel, died of the condition just eight years earlier. 'Seeing someone you love die slowly, in agony, and knowing nothing about the disease that killed them is heartbreaking,' she told the Daily Mail in 2011. Camilla was made patron of the charity in 1997 and ultimately president in 2001. In 2002 she launched a mini book, A Skeleton Guide to a Healthy You, Vitamins and Minerals, which aims to help women protect themselves from the disease. This led to her receiving an honorary doctorate from the University of Southampton in 2016 in recognition of her efforts to raise awareness about osteoporosis. Camilla held a royal reception for bone disease campaigners last year, which the Mail's Group Business Editor Ruth Sunderland was invited to attend following her work for the War on Osteoporosis campaign. The Queen is president of the Women of the World Festival, the globe's largest women's festival, which is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year. The festival champions gender equality, celebrating the achievements of women worldwide and examining the obstacles that stop them from fulfilling their potential. At an International Women's Day event in 2017, Lette jokingly described Camilla as like a 'human Wonderbra' for women – 'uplifting and supportive'. Camilla has proven herself to be a feminist through her support for wide-ranging charities and campaigns helping women and girls. As she celebrates her birthday, she can reflect on more than 30 years dedicated to her charity work - honouring her late mother and grandmother.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Prince Harry sparks outrage after lavish trip details go public: 'Hypocrisy'
Critics are lashing out at Prince Harry for his "hypocrisy" in traveling across the world, emitting tons of carbon in the process, all to promote sustainable travel. In late May, Harry made a surprise trip to Shanghai to speak at the Envision 2025 Global Partner Conference. The Royal Observer reported that he urged the travel industry to embrace eco-friendly travel and to reach previously set goals of halving carbon pollution by 2030. "Now is the moment for the industry to reaffirm its commitment to being a force for good," he said. "The true measure of our commitment is how we respond when the path becomes difficult." Harry spoke in his role as founder of Travalyst, a company that promotes sustainable travel by, among other things, helping to develop a tool that shows the carbon pollution of flights when people book travel online. Some have speculated that Harry took a private jet from Los Angeles to Shanghai for the conference, although many news sources couldn't confirm that. But The Times reported that, even if he flew first class on a commercial flight, Harry likely created the equivalent of 7 tons of carbon pollution. If he took a private jet — one of the most environmentally damaging methods of travel — the pollution likely was 10 to 100 times higher. But no matter what plane he took, many critics were aghast that he would cause so much pollution and travel more than 12,000 miles round-trip for a brief appearance to promote sustainability. "The irony of flying across the world to promote sustainable, environmentally friendly travel is hard to ignore," said royal correspondent Jennie Bond, per Sky News Australia. "Surely a video speech would have been more ethical?" Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, have been outspoken climate activists and have pledged that their Archewell Foundation will reach net zero by 2030. Markle has also become known for her sustainable fashion choices. However, this isn't the first time Harry has come under fire for his travel habits. When Travalyst launched in 2019, he defended his use of private jets, saying, per Time: "I spend 99% of my life traveling the world by commercial; occasionally there needs to be an opportunity based on a unique circumstance to ensure that my family are safe." Which of these factors would most effectively motivate you to buy a heat pump? Lower energy bills Better temperature control Helping the planet I'd never buy a heat pump Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. But that justification doesn't hold up for everyone. "In Harry's case, 'for thee, not for me,'" one commenter on X wrote. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Prince William and Kate Middleton Just Gave Prince George What Could be His "Only Opportunity" for Important Kingship Lesson
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Unlike royal generations of the past, Prince George has been raised in relative privacy—but as he gets older, the future King will be introduced to more aspects of royal life. While George and his younger siblings Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7, took part in the VE Day 80th anniversary parade and balcony appearance on May 5, Prince William and Kate Middleton surprised the public by bringing their 11-year-old son for a special solo outing later in the day. According to one royal expert, it gave George the rare chance to encounter history up close and personal—something that will benefit him one day when he becomes King. Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told the Mirror that bringing George to the event was a major step in his journey to the throne. "I love seeing him at football matches when he can let his hair down," she said. "But at big events like this, he looks as if he is taking it all in, and understanding that his life will be punctuated by national occasions where his will be a key role." Bond continued that last week's event—which marked the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe—"may be the only opportunity George will ever have of speaking to men and women who served their King and country during the war." "It's a lesson that will serve him well in the future," she continued. "One day he will be Chief of the Armed Forces himself, and he may well look back at some of those conversations and be glad that he had the chance to meet some of the few remaining veterans." Sources close to Prince William recently shared that he puts a strong emphasis on making royal life seem less daunting to his children, and that was evident during the special tea party. "It was noticeable that William sometimes put George first and foremost, letting him sit with veterans while he hovered behind," Bond said. "That was a clever and reassuring way for William to mentor his son." The VE Day commemorations on May 5 marked a rare public appearance for George, who will turn 12 in July. Other than a few Aston Villa outings with his dad, the prince was last seen with the Royal Family during their traditional Christmas Day walk to church. Bond explained that "by including the children in occasions like [VE Day], as well as issuing lovely informal photographs and videos of them at regular intervals, the family remains visible and in touch, whilst maintaining some elements of privacy when they are off duty." However, royal fans won't have to wait until George, Charlotte and Louis are back on the Buckingham Palace balcony. The Royal Family will celebrate The King's annual birthday parade, Trooping the Colour, on Saturday, June 14.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
The 'quietly devoted' royals who are setting an example for Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Much has been made about the implications of being a 'spare' in the Royal Family - and Prince Harry's explosive memoir made everyone aware of the concept. Harry, of course, isn't the only 'spare' - a family member who isn't poised to be a direct heir to the throne in the line of succession. From Princess Anne to now Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, there are plenty. And it doesn't have to be seen as a negative. Something two dedicated royals are setting an example for Charlotte and Louis to follow, according to a royal expert. The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh were two senior royal family members who stepped up and stepped in after the Royal Family's tough year in 2024, with Kate Middleton and King Charles both battling highly publicized illnesses. And although they have been working royals since 2002, the BBC's former royal correspondent, Jennie Bond, believes that the couple are finally getting the "recognition" they deserve, stepping up to the plate when they were needed more than ever before. The New Royals: Queen Elizabeth's Legacy and the Future of the Crown by Katie Nicholl | Was $18.99, Now $15.19 at Amazon Katie Nicholl provides an intriguing and insightful look at Queen Elizabeth's extraordinary reign and draws on stories from Palace courtiers and aides, as well as family members. She reflects upon where The Firm could be headed now and how the Royal Family must react in the ever-changing modern Deal According to Jennie, Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie proving themselves and taking on more duties also helped set an example on how to flourish as a "spare", something that could influence their great-niece and nephew, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. Speaking to OK!, Jennie stated that the Edinburghs "thoroughly deserve the recognition they are now getting... They have always been quietly devoted to their various causes, but their work has been overshadowed by other royals," she continued. "I suppose every cloud has a silver lining… and as the King calls on them to take a more prominent role, Edward and Sophie are showing they are very much up to the task." Jennie then reflected that the couple are "serving as excellent role models to their great nephew [ ] and niece" as they are "showing that you can be a 'spare' or even a 'spare to the spare' and make a real success of working as a valued member of the Royal Family". Not only will the Duke and Duchess be a good example, it's been rumored that Sophie enjoys a great bond with Charlotte, and they offered a rare glimpse into their dynamic during the 2025 VE Day celebrations. The Duchess no doubt stepped in to help with Princess Charlotte and her brothers after Kate completed her cancer treatment in 2024. Sophie being an asset to the family has other benefits, according to another royal expert. Royal correspondent Katie Nicholl has previously claimed in her book The New Royals: Queen Elizabeth's Legacy and the Future of the Crown, as per that the Princess of Wales is "said to admire" Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie's approach with their own children. She apparently appreciates how they're raising Lady Louise Windsor and James, Earl of Wessex "in the bosom of the Royal Family but prepared for life in the real world." Whether or not Princess Charlotte and Louis go on to become senior working royals or pursue separate careers, it seems Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie and their family are setting an example of "success" that could inspire them.
News.com.au
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Prince William plans to ‘banish' Prince Andrew from the royal family when he becomes King
If there is one person Prince Andrew should be worried about, it is his nephew, the future king. Royal experts told Fox News Digital that when Prince William takes over the throne one day, he reportedly will swiftly address 'the Andrew problem' that has plagued the British royal family. 'Prince William has long had a strained and distant relationship with Andrew,' British royal expert Hilary Fordwich claimed to Fox News Digital, noting that the Prince of Wales holds 'a grudge against his disgraced uncle.' 'Andrew's future within the royal family is beyond bleak, since Prince William is firmly opposed to any public rehabilitation with no foreseeable path back,' Fordwich claimed. 'He wants Andrew to vanish from public view.' Fordwich's claims came shortly after longtime BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told Closer Weekly that the father of three is not interested in wasting time on the Duke of York following his sex scandal. 'William has been a strong voice in managing 'the Andrew problem' — he is adamant that there is no way back for his uncle,' Bond told the outlet. Fox News Digital has reached out to Kensington Palace for comment. Andrew, once second-in-line to the throne, has been a constant source of tabloid fodder. It is said that the 65-year-old permanently damaged his reputation after he gave a disastrous interview to the BBC in 2019, which forced him to give up all royal duties. Andrew gave the interview to address concerns about his ties to the late American financier and convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. His televised tell-all backfired when he failed to explain his continued contact with Epstein or show sympathy for his victims. 'William's strong stance on 'the Andrew problem' is consistent, unwavering and his influence has been decisive in ensuring Andrew remains sidelined,' said Fordwich. 'He is driven by his desire … to protect the monarchy's reputation, doing all he can to safeguard its future.' '[William is] very in touch with the public,' Fordwich shared. 'Every public opinion poll has Andrew at the bottom, reinforcing Prince William's stance. Once king, no doubt, Prince William will ensure Andrew is completely excluded from royal life, as well as all public appearances.' Bond noted to Closer Weekly that keeping the monarchy relevant is 'extremely important' to William, guaranteeing that there will never be a place for Andrew. 'I think [the Prince and Princess of Wales] are completely united in doing all they can to keep the monarchy connected with the younger generation,' said Bond. 'They look modern, they act modern.' Following Andrew's nuclear interview, his late mother stripped him of his royal duties and charity roles. More recently, his brother, King Charles III, tried to persuade Andrew to cut his expenses by leaving his home, Royal Lodge, a sprawling royal estate, and instead, moving to a smaller cottage inside the security perimeter of Windsor Castle. However, Andrew remains ensconced in the 30-room Royal Lodge. 'Prince William's role within the royal family is more prominent and influential than ever, as is his centre stage position in diplomatic relations,' British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard explained to Fox News Digital. 'He recognises the public animosity towards Andrew,' said Chard. 'He views him as a complete liability with his series of scandals, both past and present, shovelling shame on the family. His stance towards his uncle is tough. He will not entertain anyone toxic to the brand. Andrew will not be part of the streamlined monarchy.' 'King Charles is said to be fed up with 'the Andrew problem,' although he has a softer approach to his brother as he is family,' Chard continued. 'Prince William, however, has never been a fan of his uncle. He has no time for him. Allegedly, he was also disappointed that Andrew did not welcome his wife into the family with open arms all those years ago.' That grudge, Chard claimed, was unshakeable even before Andrew's relationship with Epstein came to light. The 'Andrew Problem' has long been a source of friction for the royal family. After 22 years in the Royal Navy, including combat operations as a helicopter pilot during the Falklands War, Andrew was named Britain's special representative for international trade and investment in 2001. However, he was forced to step down in 2011 amid growing concern about his friendship with Epstein, who had been sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to soliciting a minor for prostitution. Andrew had also been criticised for meeting with the son of Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi and the son-in-law of ousted Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Even before that, some members of Parliament had raised concerns about the sale of Andrew's former home, but Andrew's links to Epstein have been his biggest problem. 'Andrew has been an embarrassment for years and represents the worst, most entitled aspect of royalty,' royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams claimed to Fox News Digital. ' … One of the problems with Andrew is that fresh embarrassments, most recently regarding an alleged Chinese spy and emails which indicated that he had further contact with Epstein after what was supposed to be a cut-off date, keep appearing.' Fitzwilliams claimed that while the king, 76, 'may privately feel some sympathy' for his sibling, William 'has to be kept at arm's length.' For William, protecting the crown comes first above all, and there is no place for Andrew once he becomes king. 'His best future is well behind him,' said Fitzwilliams.
