Queen Camilla is carrying on with royal duties today despite her husband King Charles preparing for prostate surgery.
She is one of the few senior royals able to carry on with engagements, as the Princess of Wales is still recovering from successful abdominal surgery and Prince William has taken time out to be by her bedside and look after their three children.
On Friday the King and Queen flew from Aberdeen to Norfolk. The King headed to Sandringham to rest ahead of the procedure, while Camilla is understood to have headed to her private home, Ray Mill House in Wiltshire.
Today, Camilla is marking the 50th anniversary of the Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service (SDASS) by visiting the charity’s refuge, Jenni’s House.
She has met with staff, volunteers, families and partner agencies including Wiltshire Police and Swindon Borough Council to high their work. They support families in the refuge and women, men and children in the community who have been affected by domestic abuse.
SDASS, which was founded in 1974 as Swindon Women’s Aid, offers one of the few purpose-built refuges in the UK offering fully self-contained accommodation.
Camilla was introduced to Nicky Alberry, the charity’s chair of trustees, and Joanna Eamey, its chief executive.
She was set to visit one of the flats and meet current residents and their children, before joining staff, partner agencies, residents and trustees at a short reception to unveil a plaque.
The refuge can host 22 families at a time, with 20 flats that have between one and three bedrooms, as well as an emergency bedsit.
Women and children up to the age of 18 are offered a safe place to live at SDASS and tend to stay for around four months.
Every year it supports around 62 families, including 78 children.
Camilla has long campaigned on ending domestic violence, working with charities to raise awareness and support survivors.
