The Duchess of Cornwall marks International Women’s Day with WOW

Published

The Duchess of Cornwall has marked International Women's Day by hosting a reception to celebrate the Women of the World Festival (WOW).

The global festival celebrates women and girls, and looks at the obstacles that stop them from achieving their potential. The Duchess is President of the London Southbank Centre's WOW, and met guests including singer Annie Lennox, entrepreneur Liz Earle, author Kate Mosse, broadcaster Mary Portas and author Kathy Lette at today’s event.

The Duchess began her short speech by welcoming "Ladies, and a smattering of very brave gentlemen" to her London home and praised the Women of the World Festival as "an astonishing creation".

The Duchess said: "This year, WOW will take place in 53 countries across the world.

"It truly is a global festival dedicated to presenting work by women and promoting equality for women and girls."

The 2018 Women of the World Festival runs from 7 March to 11 March.

Related content

A Speech by The Queen at a Literary Reception to mark the fifth anniversary of Her Majesty's Reading Room

I find it hard to believe that it is five years since I founded it, at the height of lockdown, with the simple aim of sharing my lifelong conviction that books make life...

25 March 2026
News

Royal Maundy 2026

02 April 2026
Royal Maundy 2026

The Queen's speech at a WOW reception to mark International Women's Day

Every woman has a story. And these stories must be told. Because when we live in a culture of silence, we empower violence against women and girls.

10 March 2026
News

Commonwealth Day 2026

12 March 2026
Members of The Royal Family attend The Queen Elizabeth Prizes for Education
News

The King and Queen visit Dedham

12 February 2026
The King in Dedham

Speech delivered by The Queen during a visit to Maggie’s Cheltenham, to celebrate the charity’s 30th anniversary

I should like to end by expressing my heartfelt thanks to the whole Maggie’s community. To Maggie’s children, Lily and John, who have done so much to continue their mother’s...

21 January 2026

A message from The Queen to mark the 5th anniversary of The Queen's Reading Room

Reading truly changes how we perceive, how we think and how we connect.

08 January 2026
News

State Visit to the Holy See

23 October 2025
The King and Queen with Pope Leo
News

80th Anniversary of VJ Day

15 August 2025
VJ Day

Remarks by Her Majesty The Queen, Sponsor of HMS Astute, at a ceremony to mark the end of the submarine’s first commission, HMNB Devonport

Each time I have met your Commanding Officers and visited the submarine, I am reminded of the exceptional servicemen and women in our Royal Navy. Commanding Officers, the Ship...

17 July 2025
News

The Queen visits Devon

16 July 2025
The Queen in Devon