Duchess of Cornwall urges people to call their grandparents for Silver Sunday

In a video message in support of Silver Sunday – the national day for older people – which takes place this weekend, Camilla called on the nation to ring a grandparent, send a card to a relative or host a virtual event to break the silence many face.

The duchess, 73, warned that more than a million older people can go for over a month without speaking to a friend, neighbour or family member.

Community First Yorkshire, a charity that aims to stop loneliness in many parts of the region, reported elderly people missing daily interaction and being able to get out of the house.

One elderly man in North Yorkshire said: “I want to be with people, rather than sit by myself.”

Camilla, a patron of a number of charities which support the elderly including the Royal Voluntary Service and The Silver Line, said Silver Sunday was more important than ever this year amid the ongoing fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

“Since 2012, the first Sunday of October has been Silver Sunday, the national day for older people,” the duchess said.

“It is a day that offers us all the opportunity to focus on older people’s contributions to our communities and to our society.”

She added: “This year will of course be very different, with most events taking place virtually, rather than in the flesh.

“Its aim is to tackle the blight of loneliness that affects so many, and which, very sadly, has increased significantly over the recent months of lockdown.

“More than a million older people say they go for over a month without speaking to a friend, neighbour or family member.”

The Duchess of Cornwall has previously backed The Yorkshire Post’s loneliness campaign, which has been running since 2014, and attracted praise from two Prime Ministers.