Queen Camilla became visibly emotional during a heartfelt moment on Tuesday as King Charles paid tribute to her late brother, Mark Shand, at a special event celebrating elephant conservation.
The royal couple attended a reception and awards ceremony for Elephant Family, a wildlife conservation charity founded by Shand in 2002. The event was held at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Kew, West London, and marked a deeply personal occasion for the Queen and her family.
Mark Shand, a passionate conservationist and travel writer, launched Elephant Family under the patronage of the Rajmata of Jaipur and Sir Evelyn de Rothschild. He tragically passed away in 2014 at the age of 62 after suffering a fatal head injury from a fall.
Now, King Charles and Queen Camilla, who serve as joint presidents of the charity, are continuing Shand’s mission to protect endangered Asian elephants and support their habitats across South Asia, told GB News.
During the ceremony, guests were shown a moving posthumous video of Mark Shand, in which he spoke with optimism about the future of elephant conservation. The video proved deeply emotional for Camilla, who was seen wiping away tears. She was accompanied by her sister, Annabel Elliot, who also attended the poignant tribute.
Royal editor Rebecca English reported the emotional moment as Camilla struggled to hold back her tears while watching her late brother speak passionately about his cause.
The King and Queen later took to the stage together to present the evening’s honours. Queen Camilla awarded the prestigious Mark Shand Award to Dr. Bibhuti Prasad Lahkar of the Indian conservation organization Aaranyak, recognized for its outstanding work with Elephant Family.
King Charles then presented the Tara Award, named after the elephant Shand rode during a famous journey through India, to conservationist Rebecca Campbell.
Wearing a tie adorned with an elephant motif, Charles stayed on stage to deliver an unscripted speech. He seized the moment to offer a heartfelt tribute to Mark Shand’s enduring legacy and the positive impact of his life’s work.
“I just wanted to take the opportunity to pay a special tribute,” the King said, emphasizing the importance of continuing the mission Shand so passionately championed.
The evening served not only as an awards celebration but also as a reminder of the lasting influence of Mark Shand’s dedication to wildlife conservation—and the deep bond shared by his family in carrying on his vision.
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