Queen Camilla gives update on King Charles' return to royal duties - and admits she tries to 'hold him back'
Queen Camilla has revealed that King Charles was "really thrilled to be out" this week, despite her attempts to slow him down, saying, "I've been trying to hold him back."
The Queen, 76, opened up during a Buckingham Palace event honouring those who support sexual assault victims. She praised those behind the relaunch of a "wash bag" scheme for sexual assault victims for believing in the "kindness of strangers."
On Wednesday, Camilla hosted a reception for organisations involved in the initiative and shared a poignant story about a mother whose daughter received a "wonderful bag of toiletries" that "lifted our moods" following a forensic examination after an attack.
The event saw notable figures such as Health Secretary Victoria Atkins, Home Secretary James Cleverly, former Prime Minister Theresa May, and Jess Phillips, the former shadow minister for domestic violence and safeguarding, in attendance. They were joined by representatives from the police, health services, and others linked to the cause.
Furthermore, Camilla expressed gratitude towards guests Cherie Blair and Carrie Johnson for their dedication to "standing up and committing yourselves to bringing an end to these heinous crimes". The reception marked the relaunch of The Wash Bag Project, which provides wash bags filled with toiletries donated by Boots and distributed by In Kind Direct to individuals impacted by rape and sexual abuse.
During the event, Camilla shared an update on Charles's health, just one day after he resumed his Royal duties with a visit to the University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre. Chatting with Teresa Tideman, the chair of In Kind Direct, the Queen revealed: "I think he was really thrilled to be out. I've been trying to hold him back.", reports the Mirror
The Queen has long been dedicated to supporting victims of rape and sexual assault, a commitment she's held dear for over ten years. It was the Queen herself, back when she was the Duchess of Cornwall in 2013, who initiated the Wash Bags Scheme after being moved by harrowing stories from survivors at Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs).
Now, the Wash Bag Project is collaborating with In Kind Direct, a charity established by the King in 1996. The event was attended by 300 guests including charities, police forces, health services, and individuals from organisations such as Rape Crisis South London, The Women's Centre Cornwall, The Havens, Croydon RASASC, and Nigeria's Mirabel Centre, all of which have seen the Queen's support first-hand.
These wash bags, filled with essentials like toothpaste, a toothbrush, body lotion, shower gel, shampoo, a comb, and a face cloth, are provided to victims following forensic examinations.
TV star Zara McDermott, who fronted the BBC documentary Uncovering Rape Culture, expressed: "The forensic can feel really invasive and traumatic so having something that's makes them feel a lot more normal and human after that is very very important.
"It's quite a simple idea. It makes such a difference to someone who has been through a traumatic time. I know it's a passion project for the Queen".
