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‘Diocese’ refers to the geographical territory in which a bishop exercises oversight. The Church in Wales is divided into six dioceses each with its own cathedral in which is housed the cathedra (the bishop’s ‘chair’ or ‘throne’).

Home News Welsh Mothers Union Provincial President meets royal patron, HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh, at Buckingham Palace

Welsh Mothers Union Provincial President meets royal patron, HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh, at Buckingham Palace

Provincial news Posted: 9 May 2025

Mothers’ Union’s Welsh Provincial President, Sue Rivers (Llandaff Diocese), this week represented the organisation at Buckingham Palace at a garden party hosted by TRH The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh to recognise the contributions of individuals and organisations to their communities. As part of the event, Sue was invited to spend time with HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh, who was recently announced as the charity’s royal patron. During their conversation, Sue expressed the joy and appreciation of MU members regarding the Duchess’s new role as the organisation's patron. She also discussed her work overseeing the AFIA (Away From It All) initiative and leading the development of a Domestic Abuse campaign in Wales.

Of the meeting, Sue said, “It was a delight to meet HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh. She showed great interest in my work as a member and my long-standing commitment to the organisation. My husband, who attended with me, wore his Mothers' Union badge, and the Duchess was pleasantly surprised to learn that men can be members too! My leadership has always been driven by a deep passion for the Mothers’ Union’s mission, and it was wonderful to represent the organisation among so many other deserving charities and community workers."

Sue Rivers has dedicated 45 years of service to Mothers' Union, fulfilling various leadership roles. Her tenure has been underpinned by a strong commitment to faith, outreach, and advocacy. She has overseen key initiatives, such as the Away From It All (AFIA) Caravan, faith events, and outreach projects. Sue established the Provincial Domestic Abuse Group and partnered with Restored-UK, Welsh Women’s Aid, and the Church in Wales Safeguarding Team. She has also led significant awareness initiatives, including the Behind Closed Doors exhibition, a highly successful conference, and the development of a church guide to addressing domestic abuse, all aimed at raising awareness of Domestic Abuse and Gender-Based Violence.