Queen Camilla’s niece, Ayesha Shand, has opened up about the support she received from her famous aunt while she was suffering from endometriosis.

Last January, the 30-year-old woman shared a statement discussing her challenging and excruciating experience dealing with endometriosis. This condition involves the growth of tissue similar to the uterine lining outside the uterus, typically occurring in places like the ovaries and fallopian tubes.

Ayesha, whose father was the Queen’s beloved late brother Mark Shand, said her aunt has been nothing but supportive during her health struggle.

During the 13th Annual Endometriosis Foundation of America’s Blossom Ball event at The Pierre Hotel in New York on May 15, the marketing executive expressed gratitude for the support and understanding she has received from her aunt in managing her journey with endometriosis.

She went on to gush about Prince Charles’ wife, saying, ‘She’s incredibly intelligent, really funny, and very compassionate.’

Approximately a year ago, the woman underwent surgery to eliminate all the identified lesions in her pelvic cavity. The procedure was conducted by Dr. Tamer Seckin, a highly respected specialist in endometriosis, affiliated with the Seckin Endometriosis Center located in New York City.

Ayesha Shand spoke exclusively with DailyMail.com at the 13th Annual Endometriosis Foundation of America’s Blossom Ball that took place on May 15 in New York City

The 30-year-old gushed over the support she received from her famous aunt, Queen Camilla

She shared, ‘Dr. Seckin operated on me and he basically removed all the lesions that I had… I actually found out post-surgery, like a lot of people, because it’s almost impossible to diagnose.

‘I think it takes like 10 to 15 years for most people to get diagnosed.’

She added, ‘I woke up [from surgery] and then I finally found out that it was a real pain and that it really existed.’

Prior to getting surgery, the philanthropist said that she ‘saw multiple doctors’ who told her she didn’t have endometriosis.

She also was on ‘the strongest form of painkillers,’ but ‘nothing helped.’

‘I spent seven days in bed a month, unable to walk, passing out, vomiting, the works,’ Ayesha explained, referring to her monthly menstrual cycle. ‘So that was what was happening.’

She revealed, ‘I used to spend days on Oxycontin trying to go through the pain.’

Working pre-surgery, she said, was ‘incredibly difficult.’

Ayesha told DailyMail.com, ‘I’m very close to my aunt. She’s been very supportive of my journey with endometriosis and has been really helpful and always listens to me’ (pictured is Queen Camilla at Buckingham Palace on May 14)

Ayesha is the daughter of Queen Camilla’s late brother, Mark Shand (pictured is Ayesha and Camilla at Mark’s memorial in London in 2014)

‘Anyone who’s going through it, a lot of employers don’t understand what’s going on.

‘Luckily, my past employer did, and my current employer does, but it really affects your life. It makes it almost impossible to work,’ Ayesha told DailyMail.com.

In March, the Brit announced a major career move.

After spending the last eight years working for art gallery Hauser & Wirth alongside Princess Eugenie, who is a director at the company, Ayesha revealed on social media that she would be switching careers and working in the beauty industry.

She informed her followers that she accepted a job as US Vice President of Marketing for Trinny London, a UK-based skincare and makeup brand founded by entrepreneur and What Not to Wear star Trinny Woodall.

Settling into her new position and after having surgery for endometriosis, Ayesha told DailyMail.com at Thursday’s Blossom Ball, ‘Now I feel totally free. It’s like I have a new lease of life. It’s amazing.’

Ayesha, who has been living in New York City for the past ‘two or three years,’ couldn’t help but gush about life across the pond.

‘I love the US. The US is amazing. It’s a wonderful place to be, it’s a wonderful place to work. There’s a lot of opportunities here. The people are amazing, the variety of cultures that are in New York City is amazing. 

Ayesha told DailyMail.com that post-surgery for endometriosis, she feels ‘totally free.’ She added, ‘It’s like I have a new lease of life. It’s amazing’

Ayesha Shand joked about her ‘five seconds of fame’ as she made it on the broadcast of The Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla in May 2023 in London 

‘I grew up all over the world, so it feels like home to me.’

Ayesha’s mom, Clio Goldsmith, was a French former model and actress who was married to Mark Shand from 1990 to 2009 when they divorced.

In 2014, Shand, a conservationist and founder of the charity Elephant Family, passed away at 62 years old after sustaining a serious head injury from a fall.

Ayesha was raised largely in Rome as an only child, but her family returned to London in 2008. It was there she was able to bond with her aunt, who married King Charles in April 2005, thus earning the title of Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall. 

Ayesha reminisced on her childhood with Queen Camilla, telling DailyMail.com, ‘When I was younger, we used to read a lot together. She’s actually a patron for a lot of reading organizations.’

She added that a lot of their time spent together consisted of ‘a lot of walking.’

‘The Brits, we love a walk. That’s one of the main things that we do. Walk the dogs, that kind of thing,’ she gushed.

Ayesha is pictured in 2008 with her late father, Mark Shand, and her mother, actress Clio Goldsmith. Her parents were married for 19 years before they divorced in 2009

Her father passed away in 2014 after sustaining a severe head injury (Prince Charles, Camilla and Ayesha are pictured at Mark Shand’s funeral in May 2014

Ayesha joined Annabel Elliot, Princess Eugenie of York, Camilla and Prince Charles at the Quintessentially Foundation and Elephant Family’s Royal Rickshaw Auction in June 2015

Ayesha attended the Coronation of her aunt and King Charles at Westminster Abbey in May 2023. She was spotted on the live broadcast, after which she later joked about her ‘five seconds of fame and serious attitude.’

Ayesha is still very involved with her late father’s charity, Elephant Family, and also receives assistance from Queen Camilla. 

‘She has been incredible in being there for me, not only personally but also in maintaining my father’s legacy and being there for him,’ she said in the past.

‘I couldn’t be more grateful. It does help with the grieving process. All of these things keep his memory alive, which is so important.’

On May 15, Ayesha stepped out to give back in another way – by supporting  Endometriosis Foundation of America’s annual gala, which raises funds for essential research, education and advocating at the top levels of the federal and local governments to garner much needed support for endometriosis.

Actress Fọlákẹ́ Olówófôyekù was honored with The Blossom Award and Piraye Beim, the Chair of the Endofound board, was honored with the Innovation Award at this year’s gala.

The Blossom Ball was also attended by Amy Schumer, who made a surprise appearance, Elsie Hewitt, who attended with boyfriend Pete Davidson, Lo Bosworth, Mara Wilson and Feroz Zadran among many others.