Camilla’s visit took place at Emmaus Norfolk and Waveney in Ditchingham, near Bungay, the same day prime minister Andy Burnham pledged to “end rough sleeping” in his maiden speech.
During her visit, the Queen met residents, known as companions, who shared their experiences of homelessness and discussed the support they have received through the charity.
Queen Camilla meeting companion Pascalle Sweerts during a visit to Emmaus Norfolk and Waveney charity (Image: Chris RADBURN/PA Media)
Camilla was welcomed by Sir Terry Waite, president of Emmaus UK and a former hostage in Beirut.
The British humanitarian and author was taken hostage in 1987 while attempting to negotiate the release of Western captives.
He spent nearly five years in captivity, much of it in solitary confinement, and later recounted his experiences in his memoir as he continued a lifelong commitment to supporting humanitarian and reconciliation work.
Sir Terry Waite, President of Emmaus UK during a visit by Queen Camilla to Emmaus (Image: Chris RADBURN)
The centre has a new partnership with Camilla’s literary charity the Queen’s Reading Room, and has created a book nook – an area specially curated by companions who have a particular passion for reading.
While touring the women’s centre, which opened last year, she explored the special area and also took time to look around the charity shop and social enterprise, which sells items made by companions including jewellery crafted in the centre’s working forge.
Queen Camilla during a visit to Emmaus Norfolk and Waveney charity in Bungay, Norfolk (Image: Chris RADBURN)
The Queen has served as patron of Emmaus for 20 years and homelessness remains a national focus, with the Prince of Wales launching his Homewards initiative in 2023.
Meanwhile, Mr Burnham, who had an audience with the King at Buckingham Palace and accepted his invitation to form a Government, made tackling homelessness his first official policy announcement as prime minister in a speech outside Downing Street.
In further details set out by No 10, Mr Burnham has pledged £340 million in funding to help at least 3,000 rough sleepers on his first day in the job.