Queen Camilla visited an artists’ collective in Shepherds Bush on Valentine’s Day – after her daughter recommended that she pay a visit.
She dropped into an open day at Kindred Studios in Shepherds Bush Market on Wednesday (14 February) to see a pop-up exhibition of works from scores of local artists.
And, according to the Evening Standard, she delighted in telling the exhibitors about her daughter Laura Lopes’ trip to see the artists during a recent open day.
The Queen was first introduced to Michael Shidi and Jon Rees, both bursary recipients who have been supported by Kindred Studios, before meeting a host of artists such as Cordelia Plunket, Michèle Jaffé-Pearce, Zoe Landau Konson, Syban Laufer-Velardi, and Babajide Olatunji among others.
As she walked around the studios – previously used as accommodation by a homeless charity – The Queen told one artist: “It was Laura who told me about this, she said it was so fantastic: ‘You’ve got to have a look’.”
Kindred Studios founder Angelique Schmitt said: “It was wonderful to see a member of the Royal Family really engaged in what we do here. She was really generous with her time. She said she’d love to come back, and the tea and cake will be ready when she does!”
The Queen met H&F’s Deputy Leader, Cllr Ben Coleman, while on the tour, and also posed for a group photo with all the Kindred artists.
Cllr Coleman said: “Kindred Studios has played a central role in H&F's bid to be the next London Borough of Culture. It was tremendous to have The Queen visit to see it for herself.”
For more details, read the Evening Standard story here.
