Queen Camilla brought a touch of star power to a royal engagement in Gloucestershire on Wednesday afternoon, as she was accompanied by former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell-Horner during a visit to the Maggie's Cheltenham cancer support centre. The special outing was arranged to commemorate the organisation's significant 30th anniversary milestone, with the Queen serving in her capacity as president of the charity.
A Royal and Pop Star Collaboration for Cancer Support
The Queen arrived at the centre under a clear umbrella due to rainy conditions, where she was warmly greeted by various guests including the Mayor of Cheltenham. Camilla then embraced Halliwell-Horner with evident delight, asking the former popstar if this marked her first visit to the facility. Halliwell-Horner confirmed it was indeed her inaugural experience, describing it as "amazing" in her response to the royal.
Marking Three Decades of Maggie's Support Services
During her official engagement, Queen Camilla met with NHS staff, centre personnel, and individuals living with cancer to hear firsthand accounts of how Maggie's has supported them through challenging times. The charity, which first opened in the grounds of Edinburgh's Western General Hospital back in 1996, provides essential psychological, emotional, and practical support to those impacted by cancer through convenient drop-in sessions that require no appointments.
The Queen's visit held particular personal resonance given recent royal health developments. Just over a month prior to this engagement, King Charles III – who was diagnosed with cancer in 2024 – shared encouraging news that his treatment schedule was being reduced in the new year, describing this development as a "personal blessing." Additionally, the Princess of Wales announced she was in remission at the beginning of 2025, nearly two years after her own cancer diagnosis.
Unveiling and Garden Revamp Celebrations
As part of the anniversary celebrations, Queen Camilla unveiled a special portrait of herself created by artist Eileen Hogan. She also received updates about the recently revamped garden at the Cheltenham centre, which provides a tranquil space for visitors and patients alike. Camilla has served as president of Maggie's since 2008 and has personally visited 18 of the charity's 27 centres across the country, demonstrating her longstanding commitment to their vital work.
Halliwell-Horner's participation in the royal visit stemmed from her established support for Maggie's charitable mission. The engagement occurred on the same day that the Duke of Sussex began giving evidence in London as part of his High Court legal battle against the publisher of the Mail newspaper regarding alleged unlawful information gathering practices.
