Queen Camilla visited the Maggie’s centre in Cheltenham this Wednesday afternoon, accompanied by former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell-Horner, to celebrate the cancer support organisation’s three decades of service.
Arriving beneath a clear umbrella as rain fell in Gloucestershire, the Queen was introduced to several guests, including Cheltenham’s mayor, before greeting Halliwell-Horner with a warm embrace.
“How nice to see you. Is this your first visit?” Camilla asked the pop star, who replied: “Yeah, amazing.”
Mrs Halliwell-Horner, a supporter of the charity, had been invited as a special guest for the anniversary occasion.
Queen Camilla shares warm moment with Spice Girl Geri Halliwell during emotional visit
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During her engagement, the Queen met with NHS staff, centre employees and individuals living with cancer to learn about the support they have received from Maggie’s.
As part of the celebration, Camilla unveiled a portrait of herself painted by artist Eileen Hogan and received information about the centre’s newly renovated garden.
In her address to guests, the Queen expressed that returning to the Cheltenham centre for the 30th anniversary was a “huge pleasure” and shared personal recollections of the charity’s late founder, Maggie Keswick Jencks.
“I first met Maggie many years ago, in the swinging 60s, when I ventured into her beautiful and cool boutique, Annacat,” she said. “I remember her then as being warm, funny and generous.”
The Queen and Mrs Halliwell-Horner sat down for tea and chocolate biscuits
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Camilla explained that Keswick Jencks brought these same qualities to facing her own cancer diagnosis in 1988, aged 47, understanding the importance of patients feeling in control rather than helpless.
The founder believed those living with cancer needed beautiful, comforting spaces where they could receive expert support without pretending to be fine.
“A place where they need not pretend to be fine, where they can receive expert support, sympathy and a cup of tea and where laughter can come as naturally as tears, because sometimes that’s what’s wanted,” the Queen said of Keswick Jencks’s vision.
Following her speech, Camilla joined a reception attended by approximately 50 people, including staff members, charity supporters and those who have benefited from Maggie’s services.
Former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell-Horner, Queen Camilla, President of Maggie’s, and Maggie’s Chief Executive Dame Laura Lee, beside the portrait of Camilla painted by artist Eileen Hogan
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The Queen and Mrs Halliwell-Horner sat down for tea and chocolate biscuits with two individuals who had received cancer treatment and support from the charity.
Among them was Caitlyn Warrington, 23, from the Cheltenham area, who recounted her experience of being diagnosed with a rare form of ovarian cancer at just 14 years old, subsequently relapsing at ages 16 and 18.
Camilla described Maggie’s to Caitlyn and her mother, Nikki, as “a life-changing place.”
Speaking after the visit, Mrs Halliwell-Horner described the experience as “delightful” and offered effusive praise for the Queen.
Speaking after the visit, Mrs Halliwell-Horner described the experience as ‘delightful’ and offered effusive praise for the Queen
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“I am such a big fan of the Queen, I think she is amazing, she is stoic, she is fantastic, a formidable force of nature,” she said. “She has been here with Maggie’s from the beginning; she has watched it grow.”
The former pop star, who recently attended a carol concert to learn more about the charity’s work, added: “I think it is absolutely amazing.”
Miss Warrington expressed gratitude for the royal visit, saying: “I think raising awareness as well as having someone like that show support means a lot.”
Camilla has served as president of Maggie’s since 2008, visiting 18 of its 27 centres across the country.
The first Maggie’s centre opened at Edinburgh’s Western General Hospital in 1996, providing free psychological, emotional and practical support to those affected by cancer.