The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall attend an event by wildlife conservation charity
Date night! Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall attend lavish 280-guest soirée raising funds for conservation charity founded by Camilla’s late brother Mark Shand
- Prince Charles, 72, and Camilla, 73, attended ‘A Starry Night In The Nilgiri Hills’
- Event hosted by Elephant Family wildlife charity at Lancaster House in London
- Charles spoke on behalf of two charities Elephant Family and British Asian Trust
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall have attended a lavish 280-guest event which is raising funds for a conservation charity founded by Camilla’s late brother Mark Shand.
Prince Charles, 72, and Camilla, 73, stepped out at the ‘A Starry Night In The Nilgiri Hills’ hosted by the Elephant Family at Lancaster House in London, today.
At the event, the heir to the throne warned that the ‘increasing overlap’ of the human and animal worlds is in part responsible for the rise of ‘deadly zoonotic diseases’ like coronavirus.
Watched by his wife, Prince Charles said: ‘The last year has shown us more than ever the importance of dealing with issues like this.’
Camilla looked effortlessly elegant in a pale green Anna Valentine three quarter-length tunic and trousers for the occasion, which included a performance from Katherine Jenkins.
Prince Charles, 72, and Camilla (pictured together), 73, attended the ‘A Starry Night In The Nilgiri Hills’ event hosted by the Elephant Family wildlife conservation charity at Lancaster House in London
Showing their silly side, the royals held half bear masks up to their face for a funny snap which featured on the front of the auction catalogue
At the event, the heir to the throne (pictured with his wife) warned that the ‘increasing overlap’ of the human and animal worlds is in part responsible for the rise of ‘deadly zoonotic diseases’ like coronavirus
Camilla (pictured right) looked effortlessly elegant in a pale green Anna Valentine three quarter-length tunic and trousers
Camilla accessorised with a woven clutch bag and added a touch more glam with some drop earrings featuring large stones, before completing the look with gold court heels.
Meanwhile, Charles looked dapper in a navy pinstripe suit with accompanying light blue patterned tie.
The prince was speaking on behalf of two of his charities – Elephant Family and the British Asian Trust – which had collaborated to host the glamorous fundraising event.
Stars including Katherine Jenkins, Tom Odell, Lily Cole and reality television star Gemma Collins, were among the guests.
Earlier Charles and Camilla entertained guests at a private reception at Clarence House before walking through the connecting door to Lancaster House next door.
They greeted supporters before taking their seats inside a tent erected on the lawn for an outdoor screening of ‘The Year The Earth Changed’, narrated by Sir David Attenborough.
Watched by his wife, Prince Charles (pictured) said: ‘The last year has shown us more than ever the importance of dealing with issues like this’
The Duchess of Cornwall (pictured right) looked chic in her ensemble, and accessorised with a woven clutch bag, drop earrings and gold court heels
Charles (pictured) looked dapper in a blue pinstripe suit with accompanying light blue patterned tie, sporting an elephant pin on his lapel
The documentary, presented by the BBC Natural History Unit and Apple TV +, shows how nature has benefited from global lockdown during the coronavirus pandemic.
The evening – which saw 280 guests gather, socially-distanced, outside – was the finale of CoExistence.
It’s a campaign by Elephant Family, founded by the duchess’s beloved late brother, Mark Shand, who died in New York after an accidental fall in 2014 aged 62.
Charles and Camilla, who are joint presidents of the charity, have been passionate supporters of its latest initiative which has seen the creation of 123 elephant sculptures by indigenous communities in the jungles of Tamil Nadil.
Earlier Charles and Camilla (pictured) entertained guests at a private reception at Clarence House before walking through the connecting door to Lancaster House next door
Stars including Katherine Jenkins (pictured) attended the event, with the opera singer performing for guests
Lily Cole showed off her quirky sense of style in a long white frock, with a beaded bralette layered over it and floral printed leggings
They are being sold off to raise money for its work supporting projects which enable man and elephant to live side by side.
The life-sized and uncannily realistic sculptures are made from lantana, a horribly invasive ornamental weed introduced by tea plantation owners into the region, thus helping local biodiversity.
Some 110 elephant sculptures have already been sold, with the remaining 13 being auctioned on the night.
And with royal backing, the project has been so successful that more are being made in the hope of adding to the £2million raised so far.
Katherine Jenkins poses in front of some of the elephant sculptures, created by indigenous communities in the jungles of Tamil Nadil, which are being auctioned
The prince was speaking on behalf of two of his charities – Elephant Family and the British Asian Trust – which had collaborated to host the glamorous fundraising event
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall meet Lily Cole (left) during the ‘A Starry Night In The Nilgiri Hills’ event
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Charles, Prince of Wales hold face masks as they host a reception for the Elephant Family Animal Ball at Clarence House on June 13, 2019 in London. An image from this event featured in today’s auction leaflet
Camilla, who vowed following her brother’s tragic death to help the charity he was so passionate about in any way she could, said: ‘In 2002, my beloved brother, Mark, helped create the charity Elephant Family, to protect Asia’s magnificent wildlife.
‘Over the past few weeks, Londoners have had the rare opportunity to see some of that wildlife – albeit in static form! – on the Mall, in Green Park, in St James’s Park and in Berkeley Square.
‘These magnificent, life-sized elephants have roamed – with a little help – from the Nilgiri Hills of Southern India, to the Cotswolds, to the heart of the city to raise awareness of the vital importance of healthy coexistence between humans and animals.
‘They are a timely reminder to us all to live well with Nature, wherever we may be.’