Diana Parkes receives her CBE at Windsor Castle

On 17th April 2024, Diana Parkes, as co-founder and co-Patron of The Joanna Simpson Foundation, received her CBE from The Princess Royal at Windsor Castle.

She received her CBE for her services to vulnerable children suffering from domestic abuse and domestic homicide.

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Diana, alongside Hetti Barkworth Nanton (Joanna Simpson’s close friend), co-founded the Joanna Simpson Foundation in 2014, following the brutal killing of Joanna Simpson by her estranged husband, Robert Brown in 2010. Joanna’s killing took place one week before the finalisation of their divorce. Joanna’s body was found 5 days later buried in a pre-dug grave in Windsor Great Park. Despite evidence of considerable planning, Robert Brown was convicted of manslaughter due to diminished responsibility and sentenced to 26 years in prison.

In 2016, Diana met the then-Duchess of Cornwall during a visit to the London office of SafeLives. Queen Camilla has since credited the moment of hearing Diana’s story as the turning point which inspired her to raise awareness around domestic violence. The pair were reunited for an interview with Emma Barnett in 2022 for BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour.

Speaking about today’s investiture, Diana said: “I felt incredibly honoured to have received my CBE today from The Princess Royal at Windsor Castle. The Princess was incredibly welcoming and warm. It will be a day that neither me or my family will ever forget. Whilst today is a day of celebration for me and my family and a surreal opportunity, it is also very bittersweet as I would not have received a CBE had my daughter, Jo, not been brutally killed by her estranged husband.”

“With this honour, I vow to continue ensuring children who are impacted by domestic violence and domestic homicide are supported and protected under the Foundation set up in my daughters name.”