The Duchess of Cornwall got into the festive spirit during a visit to the Royal Trinity Hospice, helping the hospice celebrate its 130th anniversary and lighting its Christmas tree.
During her visit on 8 December, Camilla met with the staff, including nurses and doctors, support staff, and patients and families who receive care from the Royal Trinity Hospice. She also met with the hospice’s gardeners to learn more about how the gardens can be a welcoming haven for patients.
The Duchess told those at the hospice, “You are all marvellous. We owe you such gratitude for constantly going above and beyond. It is a very special place here and you are all wonderful.”
One person Camilla met was Rahul Moodgal, whose father was cared for at the hospice when he was in his final weeks in 2018. He said that his father came to love the Royal Trinity Hospice after being opposed to it when it was first suggested, with Camilla replying, “Well it’s wonderful to know he was so well looked after.”
The visit’s main event came with the lighting of the hospice’s Christmas tree to launch the Trinity Christmas appeal. For this, Camilla was joined by students from St Mary’s RC Primary School in Clapham, who sang carols as Camilla turned on the tree.
“We were delighted to welcome Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall back to Trinity yesterday,” said Royal Trinity Hospice’s Chief Executive, Emily Carter, in an article on their official website.
“During the visit, Her Royal Highness was interested to hear how the team at Trinity have pulled together in extraordinary ways to enable care to continue at the high standard our patients deserve throughout the pandemic.
“We are very proud to have The Duchess as our Royal Patron and thrilled that she could join us to help mark this special 130th anniversary year.”
Royal Trinity Hospice is the UK’s oldest hospice, founded in 1891 as the National Free Home for the Dying before being renamed as the Royal Trinity Hospice in 2015. Camilla has been its patron for 15 years.
