Charles and Camilla visit Chapham

Clarence House

A quite late post, but yesterday was a busy day for me and at the end of the day I was feeling a little off, so forgive me. Yesterday, The Prince and Princess of Wales toured Clapham Old Town to “celebrate the local high street and recognise its value to the local community”, according to Clarence House.

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Their first stop was at Trinity restaurant to meet staff and representatives from the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts in order to mark their 40th anniversary. While outside The Prince and Princess chatted with local suppliers like M Moen & Sons Butchers and Moxon’s Fishmongers. Camilla said that one of the muttons displayed was her “husband’s favourite.”

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Then, The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall met Omnibus Theatre staff and heard about the upcoming plans of the theatre. They walked down the hill and visited many shops along the way.

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One of them was the Prince of Wales pub. Charles enjoyed himself immensely as he poured himself a pint of Sambrook’s bitter and said that he would like to visit every Prince of Wales pub across the country to get a free drink. He and his wife also admired a Toby jug of The Duke of Edinburgh.

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Their final stop was at Clapham Fire Station to greet firefighters and thank them for their service.

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These kinds of visits around communities are especially important to promote other people to support small business and give a sense of normalcy as the UK tries to adapt to the new normal as most of the population continues to be vaccinated.

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Now, what Camilla wore to the busy day. The Duchess wore a floral Fiona Clare design.

Clarence House

She carried her Bottega Veneta bag named ‘Intrecciato small leather shoulder bag’. It’s currently unavailable. Selfridges’ description:

Bottega Veneta’s Intrecciato weave is just so versatile, isn’t it? It works on every bag the brand uses it on. This one is covered in the technique, and it even reaches inside too. It doesn’t just look good, though — it’s functional as well. It’s got two roomy main compartments with a zip pocket in each, and there are a couple of ways you can carry it — with the top carry handles, or over your shoulder with the strap.

Regarding jewelry, The Duchess turned to pieces she has been wearing for almost a year by now. The earrings are her usual pearl ones. The gold necklace is Jens Hamsen’s ‘Golden Kiwi’ (NZ$1,390). It was gifted by the Mayor of Nelson to Her Royal Highness during a tour in 2015. She has been wearing it frequently since last year. The description:

Jens Hamsen

The Golden Kiwi pendant is a beautiful stylised interpretation of the national symbol of New Zealand, the rare flightless Kiwi bird.

Kiki McDonough

She usually pairs it with another much-loved necklace as she did today, the ‘Apollo Mini Blue Topaz and Diamond Pendant in White Gold’ (£1,916.67) by Kiki McDonough. I personally believe it was a gift by The Duchess of Cambridge, who also frequently buys Kiki, and as it was first seen around Camilla’s birthday. It’s an exquisite 18ct White Gold and Diamond intricate circle pendant encasing a beautiful Blue Topaz stone. The delicate design has been crafted to ensure maximum sparkle.

Fitbit

It’s also possible to spot The Duchess’ faithful Fitbit’s ‘Charge 4’ ($129.95), along with her usual bracelets, which aren’t identified. I believe that her usual colour isn’t available in the site anymore, so the photo below doesn’t represent her actual watch. The description:

Take your goals further with a health & fitness tracker that packs built-in GPS for pace and distance, 24/7 heart rate tracking and more into a comfortable wristband.

Her shoes are unidentified as well.

Camilla visits recently opened Royal Academy

Clarence House

Earlier today, The Princess of Wales visited the recently opened Royal Academy of Arts as the patron of the Friends of the Royal Academy.

It’s the longest established art school in Britain. Their site expands on their history and what the academy offers today:

For over 250 years, the RA has existed to champion art and artists. Enjoy our expanded campus with free displays, new spots to eat, drink and shop, and much more.

We’re run by the Royal Academicians, artists and architects elected by their peers in recognition of their exceptional work. We’re home to Britain’s longest established art school, the RA Schools. Every year since 1768 we’ve held an annual Summer Exhibition, the largest open-submission art exhibition in the world. We present our collection of art and architecture in free displays throughout our home on Piccadilly. And we put on world-class exhibitions of art from around the world, welcoming hundreds of thousands of people to our galleries each year. (...)

We welcome thousands of different people to our home on Piccadilly every year. We’re fortunate to have so many loyal Patrons and Friends, whose support is absolutely crucial to our survival as an independent charity. We also house a private members’ club, the Academicians’ Room, which hosts parties, film screenings and interviews.

Throughout the year we run events for teachers and students, introducing young people to new artists, artistic processes and architectural ideas. Our access programme tailors events for people with certain accessibility requirements, organising talks in BSL and tours for mobility impaired visitors. We invite families to join us at workshops and talks specially designed for younger visitors, or pick up Art Detectives packs in our galleries to help children engage with the art they see. We also work with specific community groups through initiatives like our Art Club, which welcomes those experiencing homelessness to creative sessions at the RA.

The Royal Academy of Arts notes that it was King George III who was their first patron.

I was only able to find one article about today’s visit aside from what Clarence House offers. Hello! says that she “met with members of the ticketing, visitor welcome and security team who have been instrumental in the gallery’s safe reopening post lockdown.”

Besides that, Camilla had the opportunity to take a look at two exhibitions. When I opened the Royal Academy of Arts’ site the first thing that struck me was David Hockney’s paintings, which The Duchess of Cornwall described as “glorious and uplifting – just what we need.”

Indeed, David created over 100 pieces of art on his iPad before printing onto paper. The academy’s description:

Made in the spring of 2020, during a period of intense activity at his home in Normandy, this exhibition charts the unfolding of spring, from beginning to end, and is a joyous celebration of the seasons.

Opening exactly a year after the works were made during the global pandemic, this exhibition will be a reminder of the constant renewal and wonder of the natural world – and the beauty of spring.

For those like me who are unable to see it in person, you can check out a few of the works displayed here. I must agree with what Camilla says ― these kinds of uplifting and vibrant paintings are exactly what we need after such a hard time.

The Duchess of Cornwall also viewed Michael Armitage’s Paradise Edict exhibition. The Royal Academy explains:

Michael Armitage is a Kenyan-born artist who works between Nairobi and London. His colourful, dreamlike paintings are loaded with provocative perspectives that play with visual narratives and challenge cultural assumptions, exploring politics, history, civil unrest and sexuality. Made using Lubugo bark cloth, a culturally important material made of tree bark by the Baganda people in Uganda, many of his large-scale works draw on contemporary events, combining these with Western painting motifs. This spring – just over 10 years since Armitage graduated from the Royal Academy Schools – we bring together 15 of his large-scale paintings from the past six years, exploring East African landscapes, politics and society. Alongside will be a selection of 31 works by six East African contemporary artists: Meek Gichugu, Jak Katarikawe, Theresa Musoke, Asaph Ng’ethe Macua, Elimo Njau and Sane Wadu. Chosen by Armitage for their important role in shaping figurative painting in Kenya, these seminal artists have also had a profound impact on his own artistic development. A version of this part of the exhibition will be shown at the Nairobi Contemporary Art Institute, a non-profit visual arts space founded by Armitage. Armitage has also selected works by three Kenyan artists – Wangechi Mutu, Magdalene Odundo and Chelenge van Rampelberg – that will be displayed in The Dame Jillian Sackler Sculpture Gallery, just outside the exhibition galleries. This display invites conversations between the three artists’ works and sculptures from the RA’s collection, which were curated by Richard Deacon RA.

You can check out a couple of the images exhibited here.

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Now, for what Camilla wore. It’s a navy and white dress with a pleated skirt. I believe she wore the boots which were reported to be by Launer.

Regarding jewelry, The Duchess turned to pieces she has been wearing for almost a year by now. The earrings are her usual pearl ones. The gold necklace is Jens Hamsen’s ‘Golden Kiwi’ (NZ$1,390). It was gifted by the Mayor of Nelson to Her Royal Highness during a tour in 2015. She has been wearing it frequently since last year. The description:

Jens Hamsen

The Golden Kiwi pendant is a beautiful stylised interpretation of the national symbol of New Zealand, the rare flightless Kiwi bird.

Kiki McDonough

She usually pairs it with another much-loved necklace as she did today, the ‘Apollo Mini Blue Topaz and Diamond Pendant in White Gold’ (£1,916.67) by Kiki McDonough. I personally believe it was a gift by The Duchess of Cambridge, who also frequently buys Kiki, and as it was first seen around Camilla’s birthday. It’s an exquisite 18ct White Gold and Diamond intricate circle pendant encasing a beautiful Blue Topaz stone. The delicate design has been crafted to ensure maximum sparkle.

Fitbit

It’s also possible to spot The Duchess’ faithful Fitbit’s ‘Charge 4’ ($129.95), along with her usual bracelets, which aren’t identified. I believe that her usual colour isn’t available in the site anymore, so the photo below doesn’t represent her actual watch. The description:

Take your goals further with a health & fitness tracker that packs built-in GPS for pace and distance, 24/7 heart rate tracking and more into a comfortable wristband.

Apparently she didn’t carry a clutch and I haven’t identified her face mask yet.

Charles & Camilla celebrate Coventry being UK City of Culture

Clarence House

The Prince and Princess of Wales today visited Coventry, which is 2021’s UK City of Culture. Coventry is the third UK City of Culture following Derry~Londonderry 2013 and Hull 2017. At the time it was announced arts minister John Glen said that it would be “an incredible opportunity for Coventry to boost investment in the local economy, grow tourism and put arts and culture centre stage.”

The day started by visiting the Coventry Cathedral to mark the 59th anniversary of its Consecration year. Clarence House says, “The original medieval cathedral on this site was destroyed during an air raid in 1940 and in the months that followed, it became a place of pilgrimage, remembrance and hope. The Coventry Litany of Reconciliation is recited daily as an act of solidarity and remembrance.

Clarence House

“It was decided to build a new cathedral, leaving the shell of the medieval building as testament to the waste of war and as a memorial to the 600 citizens of Coventry who died that night. Her Majesty The Queen attended the Consecration of the new Cathedral in 1962.”

The Cathedral’s site adds, “As soon as it was opened in 1962, Coventry Cathedral became a major tourist attraction, welcoming thousands of visitors each year. Tourists and pilgrims come from all over the world to experience this extraordinary building and to share something of the quest for peace and reconciliation embodied by the dramatic contrast of the Ruins and the New Cathedral.”

At arrival they were greeted by the Bishop of Coventry, the Rt Rev Dr Christopher Cocksworth, and were given an overall view of the historical and spiritual importance of the old cathedral by the Dean of Coventry before seeing the new cathedral’s Peace Bell and the Stalingrad Madonna.

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The Prince and Princess of Wales also had the opportunity to enjoy a short service at Coventry Cathedral. Daily Mail reveals that it’s a “service of thanksgiving which included the litany of reconciliation ― recited every weekday at the site as an act of solidarity and wartime remembrance.”

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Then, Their Royal Highnesses visited Herbert Art Gallery, which has recently opened as the restrictions are being eased all over the UK. Even before entering they watched a street performance to celebrate City of Culture. As they entered, they were given a tour of the 2-Tone: Lives and Legacies Music Exhibition by lead curator Martin Roberts and The Selecter frontwoman Pauline Black. Daily Mail says that the exhibition is celebrating the city’s status as the home of ska music ― a blend of traditional Jamaican music, as well as reggae, punk, rock and rocksteady genres.

The newspaper continues:

Later, showing some of the exhibits to The Duchess, surrounded by displays including Fred Perry shirts and pork pie-hated musicians, Ms Black pointed out an image of The Specials’ founder member Jerry Dammers, asking her: ‘Do you know the song Free Nelson Mandela?’

When Camilla said she knew the tune, Ms Black said: ‘Well, Jerry wrote that.’

Coventry Telegraph also reveals that a “few members of Coventry’s Indian community were then lucky enough to meet The Prince and Duchess, as they are fundraising to help those impacted by the Covid-19 crisis in India.”

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While Charles undertook his own solo engagements, Camilla then had her final engagement today as she visited Coventry Central Library to find out about the activities on offer for the local community. Her Royal Highness is an avid reader and even has her own Reading Room project on Instagram.

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The Duchess of Cornwall was there to launch ‘One Million Reads Coventry’, according to Coventry Telegraph, for the library visitors who are taking part in the challenge of reading one million books by 2022. To mark the launch, she couldn’t resist but read The Very Hungry Caterpillar to the children gathered there.

Camilla also learned about the other activities hosted by the library, like ‘Reading Friends’, which helps to support older members of the community. According to the Coventry Telegraph, a final performance was also in order for Her Royal Highness, who watched a modern dance by the Off-Balance Dance company.

Yesterday, we welcomed @ClarenceHouse to @panahghar.

During the visit, the Duchess of Cornwall met with service users and support staff to hear about their experiences and the work that they've done over the last year.

Read more about the visit here: https://t.co/cIhMM32wVY pic.twitter.com/elySUurcIh

— Panahghar (@panahghar) May 26, 2021

UPDATED: Clarence House retweeted an engagement yesterday which I haven’t been made aware of sooner, a visit to Panahghar in Coventry, which provides free dedicated BME multi lingual support, advice and advocacy and access to safe refuge for victims and their families of domestic abuse, sexual abuse or gendered abuse in Coventry and Leicester.

Their site says:

Panahghar was the final visit of the day and saw Her Royal Highness visit the refuge to commend the support Panahghar offered to Black, Minoritised Ethnic Women affected by domestic violence and abuse over the pandemic. During the visit, The Duchess met with the service users and support staff at Panahghar to hear about their experiences and the impact of the pandemic.

Over the last year, Panahghar saw a record number of calls to their helpline and a rise in service users needing support in the community, as well as refuge accommodation during the pandemic. Panahghar’s refuge and support services were accessed 24/7 365 days of the year. During 2020 Panahghar supported over 87 women and 74 children in refuge alone.

Sandra Manak, the Interim CEO of Panahghar, explained, “The last year has been difficult for everyone and especially for BME women’s refuges across the country. We have had to adapt our support services around Covid restrictions and keep the safety of our service users and support staff a key priority. I am very proud to lead such a dedicated team.”

On the special visit, Mrs Manak shared, “It has been wonderful to welcome Her Royal Highness to Panahghar and be recognised for the hard work and commitment that we offer to our community and service users on a daily basis. This has been a very good opportunity for us to highlight the issues that BME women experience as well as the importance of retaining specialist BME services such as ours. We hope to continue to grow and enhance our services.”

In meeting with The Duchess, one of the service users said, ‘they were happy to meet Her Royal Highness and talk about their journey’. The Duchess of Cornwall praised the service users in sharing with her their experiences, as well as commending Panahghar’s staff team for their hard work, especially during the pandemic and understood the challenges faced by service users and staff.

Camilla has been supporting domestic violence victims for years ever since she heard the heartbreaking stories from women supported by SafeLives, which recently became her charity. Over the past year she has expressed her concern of how bad the numbers of domestic abuse would be throughout this pandemic.

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Now, what Camilla wore today.

Fiona Clare

The Princess of Wales wore a navy dress with a white shirt underneath. I’m inclined to believe it’s a Fiona Clare design as they have a similar style already owned by her and Her Royal Highness is a faithful customer.

The cape worn outside is thought to be a Bruce Oldfield design. It’s been reported that her faithful black suede boots are by Launer.

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Regarding jewelry, The Duchess turned to pieces she has been wearing for almost a year by now. The earrings are her usual pearl ones. The gold necklace is Jens Hamsen’s ‘Golden Kiwi’ (NZ$1,390). It was gifted by the Mayor of Nelson to Her Royal Highness during a tour in 2015. She has been wearing it frequently since last year. The description:

Jens Hamsen

The Golden Kiwi pendant is a beautiful stylised interpretation of the national symbol of New Zealand, the rare flightless Kiwi bird.

Kiki McDonough

She usually pairs it with another much-loved necklace as she did today, the ‘Apollo Mini Blue Topaz and Diamond Pendant in White Gold’ (£1,916.67) by Kiki McDonough. I personally believe it was a gift by The Duchess of Cambridge, who also frequently buys Kiki, and as it was first seen around Camilla’s birthday. It’s an exquisite 18ct White Gold and Diamond intricate circle pendant encasing a beautiful Blue Topaz stone. The delicate design has been crafted to ensure maximum sparkle.

Fitbit

It’s also possible to spot The Duchess’ faithful Fitbit’s ‘Charge 4’ ($129.95), along with her usual bracelets, which aren’t identified. I believe that her usual colour isn’t available in the site anymore, so the photo below doesn’t represent her actual watch. The description:

Take your goals further with a health & fitness tracker that packs built-in GPS for pace and distance, 24/7 heart rate tracking and more into a comfortable wristband.

DeMellier London

To end, Camilla carried her DeMellier London ‘Venice’ handbag in black grain, which you can see more about here. Please note that those pages aren’t near the state of being finished.

I don’t believe her face mask has been identified yet.

That’s all for today. Thanks for joining me!

- Thaís