Queen Camilla has once again made her support for women impossible to miss, meeting survivors of abuse and campaigners fighting for greater protection across the Commonwealth.
On Monday, the Queen joined the Commonwealth Women’s Forum, where she listened to those affected by abuse and engaged with political leaders.
Buckingham Palace revealed that Camilla also met women who are working to improve the lives of others.
During her address at the Forum, the Queen spoke about encouraging signs of progress in the fight to protect women.
“Throughout our Commonwealth, people are identifying effective ways to ensure that, when a woman reaches out for help, she finds it close at hand,” she said.
Away from the discussions, she also took an interest in a very different part of the region’s heritage when she met locals playing Warri, a traditional board game regarded as one of the oldest in the world, with roots in Africa.
The game carries a deeper historical significance beyond its strategy and competition.
During the era of slavery, it provided enslaved men with an important social space in which they could maintain connections to African culture and traditions.
The Commonwealth also used the occasion to underline the wider purpose of the gathering, sharing a message on X: “Everyone must be part of the solution.”
The opening of the Forum brought together governments, civil society groups, development partners and young people, with discussions centred on equality, safety and opportunity for women and girls.
Speaking at the event, Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General (Corporate) Tania Baumann urged delegates to ensure that women and girls have greater opportunities to participate, contribute and thrive.
She challenged attendees to leave the gathering with “clear, practical commitments” that would translate into greater safety, opportunity and control over their futures.
