Queen Camilla visited Emmaus Norfolk and Waveney on July 20, 2026, praising the charity's 'brilliant' work in helping homeless men and women—many of whom have experienced deep personal trauma—turn their lives around. The visit took place at the site of a former nunnery, now the first Emmaus in the UK to offer separate accommodation and services for nine women.
Emotional Conversations with Women
During her visit, Camilla spoke with three current 'companions' in the residential centre. One woman, who cannot be named, shared a heartbreaking story of how her children were taken into care after she became a victim of domestic violence, leading her to alcohol abuse. She has been at the centre for 11 months and told the Queen it helped her 'get sober' and 'see my kids as well.' Camilla asked how the charity had helped, and the woman replied: 'Just being part of something, making friends.' Camilla offered: 'Being part of a community? And having people who understand your situation? So you rely on each other. I don’t think there’s anywhere like it.'
Another young woman told the Queen she had been a victim of sexual violence growing up and struggled to navigate life and hold down a job. 'So I joined the women's project and have really changed as a person,' she said. 'It was a huge decision to come here. In a lot of ways it saved my life.' Camilla responded: 'Well, it's lucky to hear that this is working so well. It's lovely to hear these success stories. And it’s nice that you've got every generation here. It’s just brilliant.'
Melanie's Testimony
Camilla also met a woman named Melanie, another current companion, who gave a speech: 'We know that you are a champion of women’s causes and it was especially heartwarming for us that you were able to spend time talking to women in our women’s project. I was part of that last year, it was life changing. For women who have experienced domestic abuse and sexual violence to be seen, heard and empowered means the world and we are so grateful that you could hear our stories.'
The Queen beamed and told Melanie she was 'so impressed' with the community and hoped it would be rolled out nationally. She called Melanie a 'perfect example' of what the charity can do, enabling her to give a speech with 'perfect confidence.' Melanie, who curtseyed with astonishment, said afterwards she was 'overwhelmed' by the Queen's words.
Tour of the Centre
On arrival, Camilla was greeted by Sir Terry Waite, the human rights activist and former hostage who is president of Emmaus UK. She toured the women's centre and visited a new shop selling handbags and lamps made from recycled fabrics by companions. 'There are bargains everywhere,' she smiled. 'What beautiful things you have and you are learning new skills that can take you elsewhere. Brilliant. You could go into design, creative arts, anything.'
She cut a red ribbon to celebrate the shop's opening and visited a new 'Book Nook' in the old library, the first in conjunction with her own Queen’s Reading Room charity. The cosy spot, curated by companions with a passion for reading, will enable residents to engage with literature. Camilla gave the woman armfuls of books she had chosen, saying: 'It’s got a fantastic feel to it. These are books I’ve read that I thought you might like. There’s a bit of everything, there’s some really good ones here. Handpicked. You’ll be able to add these to the bookshelves. I love getting everyone reading and hope it brings them as much enjoyment as it brings me. When you get the bug! There are a lot of comfortable chairs to sit on. It’s perfect. You are the first Emmaus to do it. It’s very exciting to have you as the first one. Let me know how you get on with those books. Here’s to many more.'
Forge and Plaque Unveiling
In the forge, Camilla watched companions prepare copper to make bowls for the charity shop and social enterprise. She unveiled a plaque marking 20 years of her patronage and attended a celebratory reception.
Cecile Roberts, chief executive of the Norfolk branch, said: 'When I first came into post eight years ago, there were no women in the community. And it didn't take much research to understand that women needed separate facilities. So we created a small women's wing of just a three bed wing, which filled up immediately once we opened it.' She continued: 'Then we came to realise that many of the women who came through our services had experienced domestic abuse, sexual violence, and we wanted to do something really meaningful. So we collaborated with women with lived experience and co designed a project, which has intensive therapeutic intervention over the period of a year. And so we can provide nine women with that opportunity every year.'
Of the Queen’s visit, she said: 'I think you can probably see from everybody's faces that we're just incredibly proud. It just meant the world, it was fantastic for all of us here, and particularly for the women in the women's project. It was lovely to see those women who have been enabled, through that therapeutic intervention, to speak so clearly, and in such an empowered way, with Her Majesty. The women were very open with her as well. She's got such an easy presence, so it was lovely to see. She's been our royal patron for 20 years in the UK. And for her to come here, to mark that occasion has been such an honour.'
