'It's very empowering': Manchester gets royal visit as Camilla launches project aimed at tackling domestic abuse

In St Peter’s Square, an “army” of survivors defiantly stare, unafraid to meet the eyes of passers-by. They are only portraits, of course, but their presence is powerful and commands attention - from the city, and from the people in it.

It’s these portraits, and the extraordinary people behind them, that the Duchess of Cornwall came to visit at Manchester Central Library this morning, Tuesday, May 5.

The portraits are part of the ‘I Am’ project, shot by acclaimed photographer Allie Crewe, which are set to be displayed in Metrolink stations across Greater Manchester throughout May. They feature people who have experienced Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in their lifetimes, and who are speaking out to raise awareness of the impact of all different types of domestic abuse.

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The Duchess, who is a patron of domestic abuse Safe Lives, came to Manchester to address these participants and see the exhibition, which she described as “extraordinary, and profoundly touching,“ standing proudly in the heart of the city.

Upon arrival, she was greeted by the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester, representatives from domestic violence charity Safe Lives, and those who had participated in the project themselves.

As she was guided around the 12 portraits, she stopped to take in each one individually while in conversation with survivors and the woman behind the camera, Allie Crewe.

“I felt a bit faint and nervous at first,” Crewe, who is from Manchester, told the Manchester Evening News . “But then we walked around and looked at the portraits and she was so lovely!”

She described the experience of having her photographs displayed so prominently in her hometown as