After serving as the National Osteoporosis Society’s patron for four years, Camilla Parker Bowles has taken on a more visible role as the organisation’s president. In her first public engagement, she spoke of her own family’s experience with the disease to an intimate audience of 80, including Dame Maggie Smith and author Jilly Cooper, at London’s Ritz Hotel.
Launching a guide to healthy living and prevention of the bone disorder, Camilla shared the story of her mother and grandmother, who both died as a result of the condition. “After my mother died I linked up with the NOS and they started to explain to me how important it was to raise awareness of the disease,” she said. “People like me did not understand the pain and the misery it causes. I want to raise awareness so that people like my mother don’t suffer.”
EastEnders star Barbara Windsor, whose mother-in-law and several friends have the condition, fully supports the charity's new president. Calling Camilla a “wonderful bird”, she added, “She’s funny, she’s good. I like the lady.”
Also among those supporting the cause were actresses Annette Crosbie and Patricia Routledge, plus Lord Of The Rings star Sean Bean, whose grandmother has taken part in oseoporosis research studies.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
