Quotes from Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall

We all know that reading is an invaluable life skill. It is vital for children in their education and as they take their place in the grown-up world.

Far too often, those living with abuse do feel there is no one to help. I have learned how vital it is to spread the word about the help that is available.

I have often said that domestic violence is characterised by silence: of the abused, of the abuser and of those who don't know how to intervene. But the media have the ability to break this corrosive silence: bringing us the voices of victims; shattering the taboo; and raising awareness of what we can all do to stop this heinous crime.

I like them cooked but I tell you what I really like - eating peas straight from the garden. If you take them straight from the pod they are delicious and really sweet.

Reading to our children and our grandchildren is something we can all try to do every day of the year. Not only does it give us pleasure but it leads them on a voyage of discovery and enrichment that only books can bring.

To actually leave your home and somebody you have probably been with a long time is very brave.

When I sit down with my team before an engagement, sometimes they are horrified as I say I don't want to read the biographical brief because I prefer to prise information out of people. It becomes like a game. The stories that come out, I could write a book about.

Anything I plant, to actually watch it grow gives me great pleasure.

I had the privilege of hearing incredibly brave women standing up to tell their stories - harrowing stories that reduced many of us listeners to tears. But with each story, the taboo around domestic abuse weakens and the silence that surrounds it is broken, so other sufferers can know that there is hope for them and they are not alone.

I sometimes think to myself, 'Who is this woman? It can't possibly be me.' And that's really how you survive.

I think we have all got to keep active - if we don't we will just seize up and, you know, we won't be able to get out of bed in the morning. It doesn't matter what it is, 10 minutes or 20 minutes, it just starts off the day and I do a sort of combination: a bit of Silver Swans and a bit of pilates and a lot of walking, which I love.

If you are a positive person, you can do so much more.

The nice thing about dogs is you can sit them down, you could have a nice long conversation, you could be cross, you could be sad, and they just sit looking at you wagging their tail!

Over the years, I have been privileged to meet many women, men and children who have escaped domestic abuse and who are determined to tell their stories to save others.

My mother could be quite fierce sometimes.

People haven't really acknowledged the issues of coercive control, which can be terrifying, it really is one person's word against another.

Sometimes you get up in the morning and think you can't do it, and you just have to. The minute you stop it's like a balloon, you run out of puff - you sort of collapse in a heap. I think you live on adrenaline.

Thank goodness I was brought up with the grounding of my parents, and taught manners.

I'd be out in my garden all day, every day if I were allowed.

Our parents gave us a certain amount of freedom, and we had a really good time. We've brought up our children in vaguely the same way.

Just as my father read to us as children, I used to read to my own children and now read to my grandchildren.

I have so many friends who, if I ever even vaguely look like getting uppity, which touch wood I never have, they would just say, 'Look, come on, pull yourself together! Don't be so bloody grand!'

We acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, which we, from time to time, most grievously have committed, by thought, word and deed.

I love to get my hands dirty.