Queen Camilla spurred women to “inspire generations to come” during a witty speech at Buckingham Palace today.
Camilla spoke during a reception at the palace to celebrate International Women’s Day as head of the foundation Women of the World (WOW).
During the event, the Queen was also given a lookalike Barbie doll and she quipped: “Takes about 50 years off my life.”
The Queen began her speech by recalling when two stones were thrown at Buckingham Palace in May 1914 during a suffragette protest which are now on display in the palace.
Although the women were taken to the police station, the Master of the Household refused to prosecute and they were released.
At the time, Queen Mary picked up the stones marked with messages and kept them for posterity.
The Queen said that we could “find sermons in stones” and learn from the hope that the stones held for the suffragettes.
Camilla joked: “Now please don’t think for a moment that I am encouraging any of you to evade sentries, or throw stones, or do anything unconstitutional – not least because I am not quite sure how today’s Master of the Household would react.
“But while the more destructive steps taken by the suffragettes could not be condoned today, I wanted to show you these stones because of what they represent.
"In 1914, I believe, they represented hope to the women who threw them – hope that, in the future, they would not be victims of their history, nor of the social and economic forces that were ranged against gender equality.
“Above all, they represented the hope that it was possible, as Christabel Pankhurst said, ‘to make this world a better place for women’.
“Today, 110 years later, you have been invited into Buckingham Palace because you too represent hope for women in the present and in the future. “
The royal met with young people who had taken part in the WOW bus initiative as it made its final stop at Buckingham Palace.
The WOW bus tour brought workshops and activities across the UK to reach young people from a range of different backgrounds.
The Queen continued: “Your achievements and your courage are great causes for celebration.
“As I have followed the progress of the WOW bus across all four corners of the country, I have been enormously impressed to hear of the mentorship that has been offered, the panel discussions that have challenged and strengthened those present, and the partnerships that have been forged with organisations that are, year round, doing incredible work with young people.”
The initiative focuses on girls but also includes all young people in activities designed to build resilience, wellbeing and good mental health.
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Camilla concluded: “So I want to say, quite simply – well done and thank you.
“And, as we look to the future, let us recall these words of Christabel Pankhurst: 'Remember the dignity of your womanhood. Do not appeal, do not beg, do not grovel. Take courage, join hands, stand besides us, fight with us.'
"To which I would only add: let your lives be the stones that will shatter glass ceilings everywhere and inspire generations to come.”
The royal was joined at the event by actress Dame Helen Mirren who spoke to schoolchildren.
