Queen Camilla opened the doors of Clarence House to children to kick off the Christmas season.
Continuing a six-year tradition, Queen Camilla invited the children of Helen & Douglas House and Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity to her home for a special Christmas lunch.
The families and their caregivers were treated to a visit by Father Christmas, carolling, and Camilla herself served a special meal catered to each child’s dietary requirements. Everyone began the day in the Morning Room, where Camilla and the guests worked on decorating the tree. The highlight was the Equerry, Ed Anderson, who put ornaments the children chose on the tree with his ceremonial sword.
The Chief Executive of Helen & Douglas House, Clare Periton, told Town and Country Magazine: “To come here in the first few months of her being Queen, it just shows how she values her patronage to us, and she cares about the children and the families who use the services. It’s a place where the families will make memories that they will never forget and the children are treated like princesses and princes and it’s just such a special time. Everyone is accepted no matter what their disability is or what their condition is, or what their abilities are. I think for families as well it’s an opportunity that is invaluable.”
Queen Camilla was a consummate host, visiting each family and making sure everyone had everything they needed and was enjoying themselves. In her remarks, the Queen Consort said for her, this is the start of the holiday season: “It’s always a treat for me to start Christmases here, it literally kicks it off for us.”
Gwendolyn Dainty came dressed for the occasion, complete with a tiara, and Queen Camilla told her “how pretty” it was, and Dainty’s mother added that Gwendolyn insisted on wearing it to meet a real queen. For the Dainty family, the event brought warmth to the holiday season: “It’s lovely because I think for a lot of parents of children with needs it can be quite lonely, so to do something like this is really special.”
Felicity Dahl, Roald’s widow, was so happy the Queen Consort continued to host the event: “She’s the most amazing woman. I think she’s unbelievable and, you know, talks to everyone. It’s exhausting but she does it and she does it with such grace.”
Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity provides nurses and support to seriously ill children. Helen & Douglas House helps families cope with looking after terminally ill children. Queen Camilla is patron of both charities.
