Queen Camilla visited the headquarters of disaster relief charity ShelterBox in Truro, Cornwall, on Tuesday to mark the organisation’s 25th anniversary, meeting staff and long-serving volunteers and touring its facilities.
The 78-year-old, who is patron of the charity, appeared in high spirits during the visit and wore a polka-dot gown with a white collar, completing the look with beige kitten heels. She listened to firsthand accounts of the charity’s global operations and praised the work of volunteers who help provide emergency shelter in disaster-affected regions.
Camilla was introduced to ShelterBox’s work during an official visit to Pakistan in 2006 and subsequently took on an active role with the organisation. She became president of the charity in 2007 and was named patron in May 2021. ShelterBox is based in Cornwall and has delivered emergency shelter and aid to more than 2 million people in over 100 countries since it was founded in 2000.
During the visit, staff and long-serving volunteers described ShelterBox’s response to recent crises and the practical challenges of delivering shelter and essential items to families displaced by disasters. The charity supplies shelter solutions, tools and other aid designed for rapid deployment following earthquakes, floods and other emergencies.
ShelterBox’s Truro headquarters serves as the organisation’s operational base, coordinating logistics, volunteer training and international deployments. Royal engagement, including visits and patronage, has been part of the charity’s public profile for nearly two decades, and the visit on Tuesday underscored the continuing relationship between the charity and the royal household.
The anniversary marks 25 years since ShelterBox began providing emergency shelter worldwide. The charity traces its origins to 2000 and has expanded its capacity and partnerships to respond to humanitarian needs across multiple continents. Queen Camilla’s visit in Cornwall formed part of a wider programme of royal engagements scheduled for Tuesday.