Queen Consort Camilla has hosted a major reception at Buckingham Palace filled with royals and celebrities to raise awareness of violence against women and girls.
She made a powerful and personal speech at the event, which was attended by survivors and their families that is being held as part of the United Nations’ 16 days of activism against gender-based violence.
Other Queens at the event were Queen Mathilde of Belgium and Queen Rania of Jordan, who were also joined by Crown Princess Mary of Denmark.
The Countess of Wessex was also among around 300 attendees, as well as politicians and charity representatives from SafeLives, Women’s Aid and Refuge.
Former Spice Girl Mel B, who was made an MBE for her work with domestic violence charity Women’s Aid, and reality TV star Zara McDermott – who appeared on Love Island and has spoken previously of her efforts to end the scourge of revenge porn – were also there.
They were also joined by breakfast TV host Lorraine Kelly and newsreader and Question Time presenter Fiona Bruce.
Receiving a special invitation to the palace was Ukraine ’s First Lady Olena Zelenska who said it is important that the democratic world unites in the face of violence against women and girls.
She also said many rapes had been committed since the invasion of Ukraine.
She explained: “It means a lot to be here.
“We now face a huge amount of rapes of Ukrainian women and children by Russian soldiers.
“This afternoon I will have the honour to speak in front of the Parliament of the UK.
“The youngest victim of rape (in Ukraine) is four and eldest is 85.
“When the efforts of the democratic world unite to combat challenges like this, it always gives hope that we will win.”
A source said Camilla spoke about what she has learned from her work in the area of domestic abuse – that survivors want to be heard and believed.
During her speech Camilla recited the names of some women killed this year, as she said we "refuse to be desensitised by cold facts and figures".
She told guests, who included survivors of such violence: "You are also evidence that we can have hope as we head towards our goal of ending violence against women and girls.
"Armed with that hope, let us press on. Let us not lose this precious opportunity to speak up and to galvanise action that will see the end of these heinous crimes forever.
"With determination and courage, we will succeed."
Last month, in what could be seen as an indication of how important the issue is to Camilla, she used her first solo engagement in her new royal title to meet domestic abuse workers at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.
Meanwhile, some of Camilla’s Queen’s companions – who were announced at the weekend – appeared publicly with her for the first time at the reception.
Buckingham Palace has said the 75-year-old will have six Queen’s companions, not traditional ladies-in-waiting, who are all trusted friends and will support her as she carries out her key official and state duties.
