Duchess to visit women’s refuge

CAMILLA, the Duchess of Cornwall will visit a women’s refuge in Papua New Guinea during next month’s royal visit in an attempt to raise awareness against domestic violence.
Camilla, 65, arrives in Port Moresby on Nov 3 with husband Prince Charles for a two-night stay, the start of a Diamond Jubilee tour representing Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II that also takes in Australia and New Zealand.
“Domestic violence is a key social problem in Papua New Guinea and, given the Duchess of Cornwall’s work in these sorts of areas in the UK, the PNG authorities have asked her if she will visit a women’s refuge to help draw attention to this problem, to draw it out of the shadows and enable people to undertake the vital work necessary to tackle this very difficult problem,” a senior royal spokesman told media during a briefing at London’s St James’ Palace.
Camilla will visit the Haus Ruth Women’s Refuge on Nov 5, while Prince Charles meets with Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and Opposition leader Belden Namah.
The royal couple will venture out of Port Moresby only once during their time in PNG, with a planned day trip to take in Boera village and the National Bird of Paradise and Orchid Garden.
“(Papua New Guinea) really is so beautiful and the Prince is greatly looking forward to introducing the Duchess to some of its biodiversity, from birds of paradise – the national bird – to some incredible rare and beautiful orchids,” the spokesman said.
While in Port Moresby, a new variety of orchid will be unveiled and named after the Duchess.
Charles and Camilla leave Port Moresby on Nov 5 bound for Longreach to start the Australian leg of their tour. – AAP