Diana Parkes receives CBE for services to vulnerable children

Manx residents vows to continue her work with The Joanna Simpson Foundation

Manx resident and co-founder and co-patron of The Joanna Simpson Foundation, Diana Parkes, has received her CBE.

She was awarded the honour by The Princess Royal at Windsor Castle for her services to vulnerable children suffering from domestic abuse and domestic homicide.

Diana helped co-found the Joanna Simpson Foundation in memory of her daughter who was killed by her estranged husband, Robert Brown, in 2010 - a  week before the finalisation of their divorce. 

Joanna’s body was found five days later buried in a pre-dug grave in Windsor Great Park. 

The Foundation says: '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.'

On collecting her CBE, Diana says: "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 an 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 daughter’s name."