Queen Camilla appeared in great spirits today as she stepped out in Bath to celebrate the 850th anniversary of the St John’s Foundation.
The King’s wife, 76, was greeted by hundreds of excited schoolchildren after visiting the charity’s almshouses at the Chapel of St Michael Within, which sits inside St John’s courtyard.
For the second day in succession, the Queen gave an update about her husband’s recuperation following his three-night stay in hospital. When asked about his health, she said: ‘He’s recovering well, thank you’.
Wrapping up warm in a navy coat, leather gloves and chic knee-high boots, the beaming Queen added a touch of vibrant colour to her look with a bright patterned scarf and a dazzling set of earrings.
Earlier in the day, Camilla, who became Patron of St John’s Foundation in 2009, appeared keen to chat with the elderly residents of the almshouses over a cup of tea.
Queen Camilla smiles as she meets well-wishers at the celebration of the 850th anniversary of the St John’s Foundation
Yesterday, the Queen said the King is ‘getting on’ and ‘doing his best’ following his three-night stay in hospital. She was asked how her husband was faring as she opened a new Maggie’s cancer support centre at the Royal Free Hospital in London.
The King was discharged from The London Clinic on Monday, after undergoing a successful procedure for an enlarged prostate, and appeared in good spirits as he left hospital with his wife at his side.
Queen Camilla is the most senior member of the royal family undertaking public engagements as the King is recuperating and the Princess of Wales is recovering from abdominal surgery, with Prince William taking a break from royal events to support his family.
Meanwhile, St John’s Foundation, originally founded as a medieval refuge, provides shelter and support for older adults, as well as working with children to make sure they have the best start in life.
The Queen was today greeted by the Lord Lieutenant; the charity’s chair, Ben Fletcher; and CEO, David Hobdey.
She then made her way into the 16th Century Chapel of St Michael Within, which sits inside St John’s courtyard and is home to 40 of the 94 almshouses that the charity has for older adults.
In the Chapel, Her Majesty was joined by around nine of the charity’s residents over a cup of tea.
Rita Willis, 86, one of the longest-staying residents at the almshouse, spoke to the royal guest and said afterwards: ‘I asked her to convey to the King how good it was he spoke about his prostate diagnosis, and she said she would.’
As Ms Willis stood up to greet the Queen her St John’s Foundation pin badge fell off, leaving Camilla – a sprightly decade younger- to kneel down on the floor to pick it up for her.
The King’s wife, 76, was greeted by hundreds of excited schoolchildren today
Queen Camilla meeting members of the public ahead of attending a Service of Celebration at Bath Abbey
The King’s wife visited the charity’s almshouses at the Chapel of St Michael Within, which sits inside St John’s courtyard
The Queen met members of the public ahead of attending a Service of Celebration at Bath Abbey
She was greeted outside by nearly 900 school children from seven primary schools, which have been supported by St John’s since it launched its Foundation Fund in 2020
The Queen was all smiles as she met members of the public ahead of attending a Service of Celebration at Bath Abbey
The Queen (pictured today) last saw the work of St John’s Foundation during a visit in February 2022 to Roundhill Primary School
As one of the UK’s oldest charities, it proudly serves Bath and its surrounding area. In 2020, St John’s launched its Foundation Fund, which aims to ensure every child under 12 can grow up being healthy, happy, and educated. Pictured left, Camilla today
Alongside this, the charity continues its long-standing work providing older people with housing and outreach services. Pictured right, Camilla today
The King underwent a corrective procedure for the benign condition last week and it has been reported that Charles could take up to a month off from public duties as he recuperates.
Charles is understood to have wanted to share the news to encourage other men to get themselves checked.
NHS England has said the ‘enlarged prostate’ page on the NHS website received one visit every five seconds on the day the King’s diagnosis was announced, with further huge boosts in visits in the days that followed.
When Joanna Laurence, 77, a retired secretary, mentioned she was a keen gardener, Camilla spoke about her love of the activity.
She said: ‘I find it the most relaxing thing in the world, you come in and everything starts stiffening up, it’s worth it.’
The Queen commented about homegrown produce from the King’s private Highgrove home in Gloucestershire, saying: ‘Eating your own vegetables is incredibly special.’
She also joked about the large display of cupcakes in the middle of the table: ‘Somebody has been doing a lot of baking around here, very smart buns.’
The royal also discussed her hobbies, with Camilla – who occasionally practices ballet with friends as part of her keep fit regime – saying: ‘I can recommend Silver Swans ballet for older people, the first one I ever came to was in Bath. You ought to try it, it’s wonderful.’
Camilla walked the short distance from the almshouses to Bath Abbey where a service celebrating the 850th anniversary of St John’s Foundation was held.
Queen Camilla is welcomed by Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset Mohammed Saddiq during a visit to St John’s Foundation almshouses at the Chapel of St Michael Within
Beaming Camilla, who became Patron of St John’s Foundation in 2009, appeared keen to chat with the elderly residents of the almshouses over a cup of tea
Queen Camilla meeting residents of St John’s Foundation almshouses at the Chapel of St Michael Within
Queen Camilla is welcomed by Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset Mohammed Saddiq today
Adding a touch of vibrant colour to her look, she opted for a bright patterned scarf and a dazzling set of earrings
In the Abbey, Her Majesty was welcomed by St John’s Reverend, Jacky Wise; the Rector of Bath Abbey, Reverend Canon Guy Bridgewater; and the Right Reverend Michael Beasley, Bishop of Bath and Wells
Queen Camilla attending a Service of Celebration at Bath Abbey as she carries out engagements celebrating the 850th anniversary of St John’s Foundation
Members of the public began lining the route and the Queen went on an impromptu walkabout, shaking hands and briefly chatting with well-wishers.
She was greeted outside the abbey by the excitable cheers of 900 schoolchildren from seven nearby primary schools who screamed ‘Camilla’ as she arrived, jumping up and down with Union Jack flags.
Her Majesty – and her team of aides – appeared pleased, perhaps even slightly surprised, by the barely-controlled enthusiasm of the young crowd, with an aide noting the atmosphere was ‘a real buzz’.
Afterwards she attended a service at Bath Abbey, which featured performances from 90 children from six local schools that are supported by St John’s Foundation.
Camilla left the abbey to a rousing rendition of ‘God Save the King’ and received flowers from two local schoolchildren, Robin Liddell, seven, and eight-year-old Mason Ricketts.
Speaking after the visit Ben Fletcher, Chairman of St John’s Foundation, said: ‘It’s wonderful to have the Queen here. She’s able to shine a light on the work that we do, which helps us do more.
‘In particular, this morning when she met the almshouse residents, that will be a fantastic experience for them that they’ll remember and talk about. It’s uplifting and gives them encouragement.’
Today, the foundation provides sheltered housing in 94 almshouses to those aged over 65 without a property, and in 2020 it widened the scope of its work launching a Foundation Fund to insure children have the best start in life.
Yesterday, at the new Maggie’s cancer support centre, she was introduced to donors including Sir Gerald Ronson, who asked after the King’s health following his treatment for an enlarged prostate.
‘How’s the boss doing?’ he said. ‘He’s getting on, doing his best,’ she replied.
Dori Dana-Haeri, who led the fundraising effort for the new centre, said she was ‘so pleased’ Charles, 75, was well. Queen Camilla nodded as she said: ‘Thank goodness.’
Supporter Sir Michael Pakenham added: ‘All best wishes to His Majesty for the very best recovery.’ Camilla replied: ‘Thank you very much, that’s very kind. I’ll pass it on.’
The King was discharged from The London Clinic on Monday and appeared in good spirits as he left hospital with his wife at his side.
The engagement on Wednesday marked Camilla’s 17th visit to a Maggie’s centre and her first as Queen. She has been president of Maggie’s since 2008. She described the centre as her ‘little haven’ and a ‘home from home’.
‘It’s such an incredible place,” Camilla said. ‘You can literally come and chill, can’t you?’
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