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On her first solo engagement in her new role, Camilla visited the maternity unit at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, which acts as a key hub for women experiencing domestic abuse.

She told staff, specialists and volunteers who work together to identify and support survivors: “I had no idea how it all worked, it’s totally incredible. I’m so thrilled.”

The London hospital works with charities Standing Together, Victim Support and Galop to give confidential help and specialist advocacy to abused women and dependants. The service also offers support with finances, housing and legal issues.

Camilla met Dr Charlotte Cohen who began the system in 2007 and told her: “I’m fascinated to know what you have been doing here.” She also thanked Vicki Cochrane, divisional nursing and midwifery director. Ms Cochrane said: “It’s the first hospital that I have heard of that’s doing this.”

The Queen Consort spoke to advisors including Matthew Walters of LGBT+ anti-abuse charity Galop who told her he found survivors of abuse in routine sexual health clinics.

Chelsea and Westminster has 300 domestic abuse “links” – trained staff in various departments who wear red lightbulb badges to mark themselves out to colleagues.

Consultant midwife Sarah Green told Camilla midwives ensure mothers and babies are safe to return home and are offered safe spaces to disclose abuse during antenatal care.

Yet there was also laughter as the Queen Consort recognised Isabel Boyer, head of trustees at abuse charity SafeLives where she is patron, who was there in her role as an infant feeding volunteer.

In a private room, Camilla met women who have used the service, spending longer than planned in listening to their stories.

The Queen Consort also chatted with SafeLives “pioneer” trustee Shana Begum, cooing over her three-week-old son Jeremy and asking: “Does he always sleep this well?”

She replied: “Not at night!” as the royal visitor stroked his head.

Shana, 38, survived 25 years of domestic violence including being forced into marriage at 17. Told that she had three other children aged 18, nine and seven, Her Majesty commented: “Life has changed and you have got him to prove it.

“It’s so wonderful when you see people coming back into the system to help others. What a journey.”

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