Camilla’s inspiring line-up of WOWs! (That’s Women of the World...)
THE Queen Consort gathered together some of the nation’s most inspiring women from across society at Buckingham Palace yesterday to mark International Women’s Day.
Among the famous faces present were former ballerina Darcey Bussell, presenter Fiona Bruce, politician Penny Mordaunt and the Prime Minister’s wife Akshata Murty.
But after spotting national treasure Sarah Lancashire there was only one question that Camilla, clearly a huge fan, had for her – will there be another season of her hit BBC drama series, Happy Valley?
‘Well, there’s no season four,’ the actress told her. ‘It’s all done. It’s the right thing to do. We just can’t keep doing it. It’s emotionally so hard... it would kill me.’
The Queen Consort, 75, told her that she and all the fans of the show had found it ‘traumatic’.
‘Well thank you. I’m amazed you found time to watch,’ said Ms Lancashire.
Speaking afterwards, she said: ‘The women here are so inspiring. I’ve been so blown away by some of their achievements and experiences in life, which have been challenging for many. Many are here because they have had a much tougher route through life. It’s a privilege to meet them.’
Camilla became president of the Women of the World – WOW – festival in 2015. It raises awareness about issues that prevent women and girls from achieving their full potential. Chief executive and founder Jude Kelly said: ‘Many of you in this room are representing and speaking for those people who can’t be here and are silenced.’
The Queen Consort raised her hand when Ms Kelly asked her audience whether they believed that ‘one day there will be gender equality’.
She went on to praise Camilla for her support for WOW and ‘fighting the good fight, dreaming the good dream and being kind to yourself as well as everybody else’.
Also there were Rose Ayling-Ellis, who became the first deaf competitor on Strictly Come Dancing and Ikram Abi, the first hijab-wearing model to pose for Burberry.