The Duchess of Cornwall cut a stylish figure in tartan as she visited a photography exhibition in Manchester this morning.
The future Queen Consort, who turns 75 later this year, was visiting the north-west city to view a collection of 12 portraits of domestic abuse survivors by award-winning photographer Allie Crewe.
Camilla has long been a passionate supporter of people affected by domestic violence and looked deep in conversation with the curators of the outdoor exhibition, which is the work of domestic abuse charity SafeLives, during the solo public engagement.
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Getting in the carnival spirit? The Duchess of Cornwall meets carnival performers as she attends a pre-Jubilee Big Lunch at Emmaus Mossley Homelessness Charity on Tuesday
The future Queen’s Consort appeared in jubilant spirits as she was greeted by drummers at the public engagement
Battle of the skirts! Camilla chats to a carnival performer as she arrives at the charity in Ashton-under-Lyne near Manchester
Pressing the sizeable flesh! A gargantuan puppet extends a hand in the company of royalty as a slightly bemused Camilla looks on
The royal travelled to the north-west UK city this morning, and looked every inch the royal in a smart navy and green tartan skirt suit, as she browsed the photographs being shown as part of the city’s SICK! Festival which runs until the end of the month.
She finished the look with a pair of favourite suede, knee-high boots and a collar-less shirt. Camilla also wore a Sabina sunflower on her left lapel, thought to be in tribute to murdered Sabina Nessa, who lost her life at the hands of Koci Selamaj, 36, in September last year.
After delivering a speech to those attending the exhibition – including domestic abuse survivors – Camilla took the time to shake hands and chat with well-wishers before leaving in a royal car.
Among the women whose faces are featured in the ‘I Am’ exhibition is Sam Beckinsale, who appeared as firefighter Kate Stevens in London’s Burning.
The 55-year-old reflected on her own experiences of enduring domestic abuse, saying: ‘You may still be walking and talking, but the person you were has been annihilated.’
Camilla chats with Big Lunch companions, volunteers and Platinum Champion nominees over a cup of tea at the celebration
The Duchess of Cornwall pictured in Manchester city centre on Tuesday visiting The ‘I Am’ exhibition, a collection of portraits of 12 domestic abuse survivors – including a Chief Inspector and TV star – taken by photographer Allie Crewe
The future Queen Consort pictured delivering a speech at a reception for the exhibition which is the work of domestic abuse charity SafeLives
After delivering a speech to attendees, the royal was greeted by well-wishers outside, including one lady who gave her a bunch of red carnations
The Duchess looked delighted to chat with those visiting the exhibition, shaking hands with one masked fan
A young fan in a blue hat offers his hand through the railings, with Camilla bending down to greet him
The royal offers a final wave to those who turned out to see her before leaving Manchester city centre
Camilla, who turns 75 later this year, wore a smart navy and green tartan skirt suit for the solo public engagement in Manchester this morning
The Duchess looked pensive as she prepared to address an audience at the exhibition on Tuesday
Camilla wore a Sabina sunflower on her left lapel, thought to be in tribute to murdered Sabina Nessa, who lost her life at the hands of Koci Selamaj, 36, in September last year
The royal was seen flicking her hair away from her face as she listened to the exhibition’s stories of women affected by domestic abuse
Camilla posed for a group photograph with survivors of domestic abuse and those involved with bringing the exhibition to life
Camilla has been passionate supporter of women affected by domestic violence; she’s previously said that she will continue to champion survivors in a bid to stop abuse happening
Among the portraits seen by the Duchess was one of Chief Inspector Sharon Baker, 43,whose own life has been affected by five years of coercive control. A video she made detailing the abuse saw more than 130 officers come forward with their own experiences
Another portrait seen by the Duchess was one of Chief Inspector Sharon Baker, 43, whose own life has been affected by five years of coercive control.
A video she made detailing the abuse she suffered saw more than 130 police officers come forward with their own experiences.
Crewe, the photographer behind the work, said the intimate portraits ask people to ‘confront their gaze’.
She told The Observer last month: ‘The men and women in these portraits ask us to confront their gaze, to pay attention to their trauma … A face opens the conversation. We challenge the values of a society that tolerates violence and turns a blind eye.’
It was revealed last week that the Duchess of Cornwall will appear in a special edition of Vogue magazine this summer to mark her 75th birthday.
Camilla’s photoshoot took place last month with a skeleton crew of magazine staff and palace aides, all sworn to secrecy.
An insider said the session had been agreed after several meetings between the Duchess and Edward Enninful, the British Vogue editor-in-chief.
The source said: ‘Conversations have been ongoing for months so this has been in the pipeline for a long time. The timing has been carefully thought through and her 75th birthday felt like the appropriate time.’
Camilla is expected to feature on the front cover of the fashion bible, which has also conducted an interview with her.
The high-profile exposure will be seen as a major step towards establishing the Duchess as a future Queen Consort in the public consciousness.
The Duchess of Cornwall will appear in a special edition of Vogue magazine this summer to mark her 75th birthday. Camilla’s photoshoot took place last week with a skeleton crew of magazine staff and palace aides, all sworn to secrecy. (She is pictured in a Vivienne Westwood gown at the London Palladium in 2013)
An insider said the session had been agreed after several meetings between the Duchess and Edward Enninful, the British Vogue editor-in-chief. (They are pictured at London Fashion Week in 2019)
The Queen, who has said that it is her ‘sincere wish’ that Camilla is known as such when Prince Charles ascends the throne, is thought to approve of the Vogue project.
Another source said: ‘It won’t just be in the magazine but obviously very prominently displayed on the website, so lots of people will see this.’
It is understood that the Duchess turned down the offer of flying in a team of celebrity stylists to help with the shoot.
Her participation will be seen as a show of support for Ghanaian-born Mr Enninful, who has championed diversity during his five years at the helm of the magazine.
Last year, he took on the role of global ambassador for the Prince’s Trust, which was founded by Prince Charles in 1976.
And last week, Mr Enninful hosted a gala event for the charity in New York, attended by supermodels Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell, the Hadid sisters and Karlie Kloss.
