Her Majesty Queen Camilla made a surprise speech at a plaque unveiling today after being "so moved" by her visit to Swindon.

The Queen met members of the Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service (SDASS) as the charity celebrated its 50th anniversary.

SDASS, which was founded in 1974 as Swindon Women’s Aid, offers one of the few purpose-built refuges in the UK offering fully self-contained accommodation.

The visit had an emotional impact on the Queen, who made an unexpected but short speech: "I wish you all a very happy 50th birthday and want to thank you for all doing such an amazing incredible job.

"I visit a lot of refuges every year but I can see you are doing something very special. You are doing such a fantastic job and helping so many walks of life.

"You seem to be getting into everywhere which is what is needed. It isn't just looking after the victims and the children, it's getting into schools and teaching them respect. 

"Thank you all so much for playing a wonderful part on the road to obliterating abuse forever."

"She sounds like a very inspiring woman"

Earlier today, the Queen met Ashlie, granddaughter of Jenni Manners who set up the charity. Ashlie told the Queen how her grandmother set up the charity because she was in an abusive relationship.

"She sounds like a very inspiring woman," said The Queen. "I think it's very brave to speak up, it's very necessary," she added to one trustee.

Lord-Lieutenant Cadet, Flight Sergeant Emmy Jones was the first to greet Her Majesty who also saluted her.

The Queen was then also greeted by the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Mrs Sarah Troughton as well as the High Sherriff of Wiltshire, Mr Pradeep Bhardwaj, the Deputy Mayor of Swindon, Cllr Imtiyaz Shaikh, Leader of Swindon Borough Council, Cllr Jim Robbins, Sir Robert Buckland, MP for South Swindon, Chief Constable, Catherine Roper and the PCC, Philip Wilkinson.

Nicky Alberry, chair of the trustees, said: "It's an incredible honour to have her here today highlighting and raising the profile of domestic abuse.

"In 50 years we hope that we don't have to be here, but unfortunately domestic abuse is still such an issue and services like this can change a victim's life so they're essential."

"I was high sheriff in 2019 and I had a lot of friends who had been victims of domestic abuse so it was something I wanted to highlight during my year. That's how I got involved with it all."

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Queen Camilla will also be visiting Deacon & Son jewellers on Wood Street, one of Swindon's oldest businesses.

The business is celebrating its 175th anniversary with six generations of the Deacon Family managing the business.

Richard Deacon, the managing director and his sister Sara will meet the monarch today before unveiling a plaque to commemorate the business's longevity.

Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service (SDASS)

The refuge can host 22 families at a time, with 20 flats that have between one and three bedrooms, as well as an emergency bedsit.

Women and children up to the age of 18 are offered a safe place to live at SDASS and tend to stay for around four months. Every year it supports around 62 families, including 78 children.

Camilla has long campaigned on ending domestic violence, working with charities to raise awareness and support survivors.

As the Duchess of Cornwall after the first national lockdown, she became patron of the UK charity SaveLives, and highlighted its Reach In campaign which encouraged communities to “reach in” to victims of abuse.