Ayesha Shand, born in 1994, holds a unique position as the niece of Camilla, Queen Consort.
Her mother is actress Clio Goldsmith and her father was conservationist Mark Shand, Camilla’s brother.
This early bond with the majestic creatures laid the foundation for her lifelong commitment to elephant conservation.
Despite her connection to the royal family, Ayesha doesn’t often appear in the news or the tabloids.
Here are facts about the royal niece.
For Ayesha’s father,Mark Shand, this is exactly the story of Ayesha’s name.
It a nod to his wide travels and her royal lineage.
However, for Clio Goldsmith, Ayesha’s mother, the name held a deeper meaning.
The circumstances surrounding Ayesha’s birth were marked by challenges and isolation.
Goldsmith recalled the experience, tellingVanity Fairthat it was “very dark, very miserable, very isolated.
Mark set off traveling, and I was alone with this baby.
I had had a terrible birth, so I had to be operated on.
And I was very traumatized.”
Through her name and her journey, Ayesha embodies a blend of history, literature, and resilience.
If you want to join us, here’s the plane ticket.'"
The family went on to live in Rome for seven years before returning to London in 2008.
Growing up as an only child, Ayesha’s upbringing was characterized by chaos and constant movement.
It was like a treasure trove our house was a souk," Ayesha described toThe Telegraph.
The teen moved out of her family home and dyed her hair bleach blonde to prove her autonomy.
In an attempt to mend their strained relationship after a disagreement, Mark orchestrated a cunning ruse.
I was in my designer gym gear, and this man shouted, ‘Get on the floor!
Give me 50!’
I said, ‘You want 50 right now?
You want a huge tip?'"
Thrown into the midst of discipline, Ayesha initially protested activities like running through mud.
Reflecting on the experience, Ayesha now laughs at the memory, saying, “I hated him.”
Reflecting on her father’s legacy, Ayesha emphasizes the importance of continuing his work.
I’ve got all these photos and videos of them on my phone."
For her, conservation is not just about protecting nature but also about celebrating its beauty and eccentricity.
Ayesha eventually became involved as well.
“I started helping with the Instagram side of it,” she told the Daily Mail.
“Then I started contacting some friends and telling them about the initiative.
They all thought it was such an amazing idea.”
The initiative gained momentum as more people became involved, spreading through word of mouth and social media.
I always ended up buying figurines of animals and weird stuff."
Ayesha is currently serving as an Associate Director at the prestigious Hauser & Wirth art gallery in Mayfair.
The two women share a professional and personal friendship that illustrates the strength of their bond.
It does help with the grieving process.
All of these things keep his memory alive, which is so important."
I miss him every day."
Dad lived an extraordinary life, but he was never truly satisfied."
She went on to say, “He would have hated to be an old man.
He would have hated to sit by a fire, grumbling, bored, his life without adventure.”
She told The Telegraph, “I didn’t want 400 people dressed in black crying.
I wanted people to have a good time.
Queen Camilla honored this request by donning polka dots.
In a candidInstagrampost and accompanying video, Shand revealed the harsh realities she faces every month.
“This is what endometriosis looks and feels like,” she wrote in her caption. "
It’s isolating, agonizing and completely unbearable.”
Endometriosis, affecting 1 in 10 people who menstruate, is notoriously challenging to diagnose and treat.
There is currently no known cure, although symptoms can be treated.
This is all followed by intense waves of helplessness and depression," Shand’s Instagram caption continued.
Despite her persistent pain, Ayesha is adamant about sharing her story, aiming to raise awareness for endometriosis.
She acknowledges her fortune in accessing treatment, calling herself “lucky.”
