Queen Camilla Celebrates ShelterBox's 25th Anniversary, Highlights Ongoing Support for Disaster Relief
September 2, 2025
Queen Camilla marked a significant milestone for ShelterBox by visiting its headquarters in Cornwall to celebrate its 25th anniversary, highlighting her ongoing support for disaster relief efforts.
She has been associated with ShelterBox since 2006, serving as its president in 2007 and becoming a patron in 2021, demonstrating her long-term commitment to the charity.
During her visit, she was introduced to the ShelterBox Book Club, which has raised over £1.5 million through reading initiatives to support the charity.
Crowds gathered along the streets of Newquay to see her second engagement of the day, and her visit included a photo opportunity capturing 19 images of the event.
Her day in Cornwall included interactions with local dignitaries and officials, as part of her broader schedule of community engagements.
She was shown various aid items such as water filtration kits and solar lights, joking with volunteers about their use in disaster zones, including a demonstration where she sipped water from a filtration kit.
In addition, she visited projects supported by the Cornwall Community Foundation, which has granted over £22 million to local organizations, including the Wave House Church in Newquay.
Her Majesty also met with members of the Cornwall Community Foundation, including knitting club members and food bank volunteers, participating in local community activities.
Founded in 2000 by the Helston-Lizard Rotary Club, ShelterBox has supported over three million people across nearly 100 countries, responding to various crises such as natural disasters and displacement.
The charity gained international recognition in 2004 following its response to the Boxing Day tsunami in Indonesia, marking its first deployment of teams to a disaster zone.
She also met Thomas Burns, a 13-year-old who raised over £2,000 for ShelterBox after being inspired to help people affected by the Ukraine crisis.
Queen Camilla expressed her appreciation for ShelterBox’s work and reflected on her long-standing patronage, noting it was one of her first in Cornwall 18 years ago.
Summary based on 8 sources
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Sources

BBC News • Sep 2, 2025
Queen hails emergency relief charity's 25th birthday
Geo News • Sep 2, 2025
Palace releases Queen Camilla's video as she leaves King at Balmoral for Cornwall visit
Cornwall Live • Sep 2, 2025
LIVE: Queen Camilla in Cornwall for three charity visits