Queen Camilla discusses King’s recovery and relaunches vital project supporting sexual assault victims.
Queen Camilla shared her joy over King Charles’s return to public life after his recent health challenges, saying that the King was “really thrilled” to be back in the public eye. Speaking at a Buckingham Palace event on Thursday, the Queen revealed how she had been “trying to hold him back” as he eagerly resumed his royal duties following his cancer treatment.
The Queen’s remarks came during a reception attended by over 300 guests, including high-profile figures like Cherie Blair, Theresa May, and Carrie Johnson, to highlight the launch of The Wash Bag Project. This initiative, which supports survivors of sexual assault, provides victims with wash bags containing toiletries to offer a small sense of normalcy after forensic examinations.
The Queen also shared an update on King Charles’s health, just one day after his return to front-line royal duties. He had visited University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre, where he expressed his shock at his diagnosis while meeting with patients and staff. The visit aimed to raise awareness of the latest cancer treatments and the excellent care provided at the centre.
In her speech, Camilla, 76, acknowledged the importance of the Wash Bag Project, which she first conceived in 2013 after visiting Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs). The project has now partnered with In Kind Direct, a charity founded by King Charles in 1996. The scheme offers a simple but impactful gesture to those affected by rape and sexual violence, with the wash bags containing essential toiletries such as toothpaste, shampoo, and body lotion.
Zara McDermott, who has campaigned on the issue of rape culture, praised the Queen’s efforts, calling the wash bags a “simple idea” that makes a significant difference in the lives of survivors. “It’s a passion project for the Queen,” McDermott said. Carrie Johnson, wife of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, also commended Camilla for her dedication to the cause, recognising the Queen’s commitment to giving victims a voice in the fight against sexual violence.
During the event, Queen Camilla read a letter from a mother whose daughter had received a wash bag following a traumatic experience. The mother described the gesture as “such a lovely and completely unexpected gesture, which reminded my daughters and I of the kindness of strangers at a very dark time.”
The Queen’s words reflected the core mission of the project: to provide “a crumb of comfort” to those in dire situations, offering kindness and hope to those who are often left feeling dehumanised. “The kindness of strangers at a very dark time,” the Queen said, is the guiding principle behind the work of everyone involved in these vital initiatives.
