Queen Camilla offered a health update on King Charles as he prepares to undergo treatment for an enlarged prostate this week.
Camilla has been carrying on with royal engagements and today visited Swindon, where she dropped in on Deacon and Sons, a 175-year-old family-run jewellery shop. Her husband Charles is currently resting ahead of a procedure to treat an enlarged prostate after being diagnosed with the benign condition.
While out and about today, Camilla met 86-year-old Jessie Jackson, from Swindon, who was among a group who gathered outside the jewellery shop to catch a glimpse of the Queen. Ms Jackson said she shook the Queen's hand and asked her how Charles was doing, with Camilla telling her he was 'fine'. Camilla thanked her for asking and Ms Jackson added: "She's lovely."
Nicky Jackson, 48, who accompanied Ms Jackson, added: "She asked how Charles was. He's fine. We didn't ask about Kate. We forgot about poor Kate." She added: "She's a big royalist this one (Jessie), so she was very excited."
Charles' procedure comes as the Princess of Wales remains in hospital after undergoing abdominal surgery. Kate is not expected to carry out official engagements until after Easter. Buckingham Palace announced the news about the King’s health last Wednesday just 90 minutes after Kensington Palace said Kate was in hospital. On Sunday Charles’ former sister-in-law, Sarah, Duchess of York was confirmed to have been diagnosed with skin cancer.
Camilla's trip to the jewellery shop came after she said she hoped we could 'obliterate' the 'horrific' scourge of domestic abuse in the next 50 years. During a visit to a charity refuge to mark the 50th anniversary of the Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service she praised their 'brilliant' work in helping victims of domestic violence.
She said the work the charity does was, "so much more than looking after victims of horrific abuse." She went on. "It's looking after the children, getting into schools and teaching respect and working with perpetrators too. Thank you all for playing such an important part on the road to obliterating the abuse."
Camilla, who has worked tirelessly to support domestic abuse charities, met staff, volunteers, families and partner agencies including Wiltshire Police and Swindon Borough Council at Jenni’s House to highlight their work. The Queen was particularly interested in the Open to Change initiative that works with perpetrators and victims to eradicate abuse in relationships.
She also met families living in the refuge and toured a resident's flat, before unveiling a plaque to celebrate the charity's 50th anniversary. The current refuge is one of the few purpose-built refuges in the UK offering fully self-contained accommodation.
In 2019, the charity rebranded as Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service (SDASS) in recognition of the fact that domestic abuse affects women, men and children. The refuge has 20 one, two and three-bedroom flats plus two emergency bedsits and can host 22 families at any one time.
