Queen Camilla welcomed families of seriously ill children to her annual Christmas lunch at Clarence House, where she candidly shared her eagerness to reach the end of what has been a challenging year.
The Queen hosted young guests and their families supported by two of her patronages – Helen & Douglas House and Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity.
In a candid moment during the festive gathering, Her Majesty confided to Marie Verney, mother of a child with complex medical needs, that she would “be glad to get to the end of the year.”
The comment resonated with attending families, with Verney noting: “She was very understanding and sympathetic of people’s lives. And her life hasn’t been easy this year, has it?”
Queen Camilla makes heartbreaking admission amid Royal Family health concerns
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Last month, Buckingham Palace announced that Queen Camilla, 77, was battling a chest infection.
She subsequently missed several royal events, including Remembrance Sunday and the Gladiator II film premiere.
In addition, her husband King Charles has been undergoing cancer treatment for much of this year.
Princess Kate, 42, also received chemotherapy for a short period and has taken on fewer public engagements as a result.
Camilla met parents and children supported by Helen & Douglas House and Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity
PA
Verney, who attended Thursday’s engagement with her daughters Katie, 17, and 12-year-old Faye, shared a touching interaction with the Queen.
“She’s a fun grandma,” Verney revealed. “She talked about her granddaughters herself because they are 17, like Katie. She’s a really down-to-earth lady and put us at ease.”
The Queen even arranged for Katie to have a glass of champagne after playfully suggesting it over elderflower, before engaging in conversations about driving lessons.
“When you have a child with profound additional needs, life is quite insular, and the fact that you’re welcomed in to do something magical is quite amazing,” Verney added.
Queen Camilla battled a chest infection last month
PA
Queen Camilla, dressed in a royal blue velvet coat dress by Edina Ronay, helped the children select decorations, offering gentle encouragement.
“I think the mouse, Lenny,” she suggested to one young guest, while praising others with “My goodness me, you’re doing brilliantly.”
Among the special guests was five-year-old Lenny Willans-Jobson, one of just three children in the country with Fox G1, a life-limiting condition.
The Queen admired Lenny’s “very smart dinner jacket and loafers,” bringing a broad smile to his face.
“What an incredibly special day. He hasn’t stopped laughing and smiling,” said his stepmother, Natasha Wilkinson.
The Queen presented party bags containing velvet and gold crowns, giant chocolate coins, teddies in bearskin hats and personalised reindeer bells to each child.
In an impromptu speech, Camilla told guests: “It’s the start of Christmas for me… I think it’s so important for these two absolutely fantastic charities both of which I’m so proud to be patron of.”
She apologised for the absence of reindeer, explaining they were “in quarantine” due to bluetongue virus restrictions.
