Queen Camilla helped mark 21 years of providing support to women living in domestic violence situations with a Clarence House reception.

The Queen said in a brief speech that she was proud to be Safelives’ patron and that she’s glad that talking about domestic violence is no longer a taboo subject. “We’ve come a really long way, so we must go on doing the same thing.”

In support of her patronage SafeLives’ anniversary, the Queen invited 100 guests to Clarence House that have been supported by the charity. To further mark the occasion, Queen Camilla was presented with the Starfish Award in recognition of her “deep commitment to survivors and her role in helping to shine a light on domestic abuse—often hidden and misunderstood.”

In a speech at the event, Safelives’ chief executive Ellen Miller said: “For 21 years, SafeLives has stood with survivors to challenge the systems that failed them and to build new approaches rooted in care, safety and dignity. Her Majesty The Queen has been a central part of that story — sitting with survivors, listening to their experiences, and making it clear that they are seen, heard, and valued.

“This Starfish Award is our way of recognising the ripple effect she has created by doing what abusers fear most: believing survivors. And as we look ahead, our new strategy will focus on stopping abuse before it starts, responding earlier, and supporting recovery — so that every person affected by domestic abuse gets the help they need to be safe and thrive.”

At the reception, Queen Camilla met with those working with Safelives’ various advocacy groups and survivor support groups, as well as survivors and the families of those lost to domestic violence.

Speaking to reporters after the reception, Micala Trussler, a mother who lost her 15-year-old daughter Holly to a knife attack by an ex-boyfriend, said that Queen Camilla showed support for their campaign to have the laws changed so that anyone under 16 can be classified as domestic violence victims.

Her husband Lee added that the Queen’s support meant that “it’s getting heard in the highest place in the country essentially. So we’re hoping that other people are going to take notice that the Queen’s paying attention and supporting so they can get behind us and get the laws changed like they should be to protect the kids that need protecting.”

Queen Camilla has been patron of Safelives since 2020, though she’s been involved with their work since 2016.