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Emma Barnett Show reflects on lockdown life with Duchess of Cornwall

Posted on: July 7, 2020 by admin

A BBC 5 Live programme guest-edited by the Duchess of Cornwall to reflect on life during the Covid-19 lockdown was broadcast from Clarence House this morning.

The Emma Barnett Show played host to Her Royal Highness who used the platform to highlight causes that she is passionate about.

The Duchess voiced her concern about the impact of lockdown on victims of domestic violence, the charity organisations seeing increased demand during the pandemic, as well as her personal experience of being separated from her grandchildren for three months.

Presenter Emma Barnett interviewed figures from charities that the Duchess is patron of, including Safe Lifes, an organisation which supports sufferers of domestic abuse.

The programme revealed statistics that showed 34 women have been killed under lockdown and there has been a 66 per cent increase in demand for helplines such as Refuge’s National Domestic Abuse helpline.

Speaking on the programme set up to broadcast from her home, the Duchess said “I couldn’t have done without the wireless – it’s been my friend throughout the lockdown”.

In keeping with BBC 5 Live’s format, the programme also heard from guest interviewees including last year’s Booker Prize winner Bernardine Evaristo, who talked about the importance of local libraries as well as the actor Dame Judi Dench. Both discussed the impact of the pandemic on the arts and literary sectors.

The programme also covered personal aspects of the lockdown and the Duchess of Cornwall discussed her husband Prince Charles’ experience of surviving Covid-19. She also confessed she found the separation from her family, particularly her grandchildren “was the worst” aspect.

Reflecting on the show, the Duchess said she had enjoyed the experience of guest-editing the programme.

The Duchess said she had really enjoyed sitting and chatting one-to-one with Barnett, adding “that is the joy of radio”.

A 30-minute interview with the Duchess of Cornwall is included in today’s Emma Barnett Show and can be listened to on BBC Sounds.