Queen Camilla visited the Maggie’s cancer support charity in Cheltenham on January 21, 2024, alongside former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell-Horner. The visit marked the charity’s 30th anniversary, a significant milestone for an organization committed to offering support to those affected by cancer.
The Queen’s attendance comes just over a month after King Charles III, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2024, announced a reduction in his treatment schedule, calling it a “personal blessing.” The royal engagement coincided with the commencement of the Duke of Sussex’s testimony in a High Court case against the publisher of the Daily Mail regarding alleged unlawful information gathering.
During her visit, Queen Camilla arrived under a clear umbrella, navigating the rainy weather to meet with staff, supporters, and beneficiaries of Maggie’s. After greeting the guests, she warmly embraced Halliwell-Horner, inquiring if it was her first visit to the centre. Halliwell-Horner confirmed her excitement, replying, “Yeah, amazing.”
Emphasizing Support and Community
As president of Maggie’s since 2008, Queen Camilla took the opportunity to meet with NHS and centre staff, as well as individuals currently living with cancer. She unveiled a portrait of herself created by artist Eileen Hogan and learned about the centre’s newly redesigned garden. In her address, the Queen expressed her joy in returning to celebrate Maggie’s three decades of service, recalling her first meeting with the 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,” the Queen reminisced. She described Jencks as warm and generous, highlighting her understanding of the importance of feeling in control after a cancer diagnosis.
The Queen articulated the essence of Maggie’s philosophy: “Above all, Maggie was convinced that people living with cancer crave a beautiful, comforting environment as they face the unknown.” She noted the need for spaces where individuals can receive expert support, share laughter, and find solace.
During the visit, Camilla participated in a reception attended by around 50 people, including those who have benefitted from the charity’s services. She enjoyed tea and chocolate biscuits with Caitlyn Warrington, a young woman who has faced multiple relapses of ovarian cancer since her diagnosis at the age of 14.
“It is a life-changing place,” Camilla remarked to Warrington and her mother, Nikki, emphasizing the profound impact of Maggie’s on individuals undergoing treatment.
Reflections on Impact and Awareness
Following the event, Halliwell-Horner, who recently began supporting Maggie’s, described her experience as “delightful.” She praised Queen Camilla, calling her a “formidable force of nature” and commended her longstanding commitment to the charity. “She has been here with Maggie’s from the beginning, she has watched it grow,” Halliwell-Horner noted.
Warrington expressed her appreciation for the Queen’s presence at Maggie’s, stating, “I think raising awareness as well as having someone like that show support means a lot.”
Maggie’s, which opened its first centre in Edinburgh in 1996, provides a range of free psychological, emotional, and practical support to those impacted by cancer. The charity operates 27 centres across the UK, offering drop-in sessions without appointments.
Both King Charles III and the Princess of Wales have faced their own cancer battles, with Kate announcing she was in remission at the beginning of 2025. Queen Camilla’s visit underscores her unwavering commitment to raising awareness and providing support for those affected by cancer, a mission that resonates deeply within the community.
