Elephant Family Joint Presidents, Their Majesties The King and Queen, led a star-studded ‘Wonders of the Wild: An Evening of Art and Conservation’ in support of the charity at Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, London, this week.
Sponsored by Chopard and attended by HRH Princess Beatrice of York, Annabel Elliot, Lady Marina Windsor, Footballer Ronaldo Nazario, actors Amy Jackson and Ed Westwick, and singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor, the exclusive event which saw Their Majesties present special recognition awards to Aaranyak, the charity’s partner in India, and artist Rebecca Campbell, who celebrates her tenth year as an Elephant Family ambassador.
‘Wonders of the Wild’ marked the grand finale of the charity’s Big Egg Hunt, delivered in partnership with Clarence Court. The campaign featured more than 120 giant egg sculptures designed by leading names from fashion, art and design. They were displayed across London as part of a free art trail in iconic locations including Buckingham Palace, Battersea Power Station, the Royal Albert Hall, Sloane Street and Canary Wharf.
Some of the eggs were on display at the event and Their Majesties were introduced to participating artists including Instagram sensation Sophie Tea and other artists including Simon Emery, Patricia Mitchell, Jag Sihra and designers, Shantanu & Nikhil.
Elephant Family was founded by Mark Shand in 2002 to protect the endangered Asian Elephant. Since then, the charity has become renowned for using the power of art to inspire action for wildlife. Today it works with local partners in Asia to promote conservation and coexistence so that people and animals can safely share space.
British Asian Trust CEO Richard Hawkes said: “Wonders of the Wild is a celebration of art and nature, which also serves to raise awareness and funds to support our critical conservation work.
“Elephant Family partners with local organisations in Asia to reduce human wildlife conflict, increase biodiversity and invest in research and education programmes. Our mission is to create environments where people and wildlife can thrive together.
“True to our founder, the guiding principle of Elephant Family has always been to raise awareness of wildlife conservation in the most joyful ways possible and tonight is testament to that.”
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A live auction featured some of the eggs and a silent auction included three nights at a safari resort in Nepal courtesy of Taj Hotels, a stay in the penthouse of Nobu London and a diamond elephant necklace, created by Chopard. Guests also enjoyed a performance by Sophie Ellis-Bextor and DJ set by Gok Wan.
The King and Queen have been joint Presidents of Elephant Family since 2014. His Majesty has been Patron of Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, since 2016.
Elephant Family works in partnership with conservation experts on the ground to tackle the challenges facing Asia’s wildlife and the communities that live alongside them. Since being established, the charity has raised more than £22 million to support our magnificent wildlife and their precious habitats.
He charity is part of the British Asian Trust, with two organisations having joined forces in 2020 to form a powerhouse for conservation work in South Asia.
*Info: Elephant Family
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