Queen Camilla was thanked for creating “very precious memories” for seriously ill children as she hosted a tea party and treasure hunt for six youngsters at Clarence House this afternoon.
Camilla served tea and cake, helped the youngsters find clues as they searched for chocolate treasure, and handed out party bags to the children, who are supported by the charity Dreams and Wishes, as she opened up her London home to them for the afternoon.
The festivities were scheduled to take place in the garden, but heavy rain forced the event inside. After being greeted by Tony Curtis, the chairman of the charity, at the bottom of the staircase at Clarence House, he led her to the Morning Room, where the children were enjoying a medley of Disney tunes played by a string quartet.
Arrival by Carriage
“Hello, I hear you arrived here by carriage!” she said to the youngsters who were nervously standing with their mothers. The group had travelled by horse-drawn carriage from The Royal Mews to Clarence House, waving to tourists and passersby in what one mum described as “an insane and very special moment”.
She had a brief chat with each of the children and their parents, telling six-year-old Maria Lourenco Belo that her lilac princess dress was “very pretty” and remarking that 10-year-old Roman Davies's three-piece suit was “very smart”. The Queen then led them through to another room where an impressive spread of sandwiches, cakes and fruit awaited them.
Tea and Treats
She started handing out plates to each of the children, encouraging them to take as much food as possible. “It’s all for you,” she said. “See how much you can cram in.” In the middle of the table, there was a tray of cookies with each of the names on, and the Queen stood by it and told each of them, “See if you can find yours.” As they took their plates to the table laden with cuddly toys, Camilla went round asking them what they would like to eat and asking how the food was.
When she got to Rupert, she noticed that he had a medal next to him on the table. Asking what it is, he went shy and his mother, Hannah Williams, told her that he had been awarded the Chief Scouts Commendation for Meritorious Conduct at Windsor Castle just two weeks ago. His Beaver group had nominated him for showing Scouting values in the face of adversity. At the age of three, he was diagnosed with intestinal failure and chronic obstruction and has been dependent on a life-sustaining but high-risk treatment called Total Parental Nutrition (TPN) since then. Rupert, who continues to attend school and his Beaver group when possible, also has adrenal insufficiency due to repeated doses of steroids and a bleeding disorder called Haemophilia Type A.
His mother told the Queen: “Ru wanted to bring the medal with him in the hope you might pin it on him, but now he’s gone shy.” She immediately said: “Well, we'd better put it on then! It’s so impressive.” Speaking afterwards, Ms Williams said Rupert has been so excited to meet the Queen, adding: “He has been asking, does the Queen have a dragon in her castle?” “Today has created some very precious moments for us. Travelling through London in a carriage was an insane and very special moment. It was unbelievable, we were all waving at the tourists.” Having found his courage, Rupert later stood up and gave a toast to the Queen. Holding his water glass up, he said: “I have a toast to the Queen. Thank you for having this lovely meal. To the Queen.”
Gifts and Treasure Hunt
Mr Curtis then gave a few words, gifting the Queen a bottle of gin, whiskey, a clock and some plants for the garden. “Thank you, this is my husband’s favourite,” she said, as she took the bottle of gin. He told her: “I can’t tell you how much it means to the families and to the charity.”
The Queen then handed over to her aptly named equerry, Major Treasure, who tasked them with a treasure hunt. He told the children that a wicked wizard had stolen the Queen’s treasure last night, but had fortunately dropped the treasure when two Grenadier Guards caught him in the act - but he needed their help to find where the treasure had ended up. He handed each of them a series of clues, with the Queen immediately walking over to them to help. She held Maria’s hand as they walked around the ground floor of Clarence House, finding more clues as they went. They eventually discovered the treasure - a giant gold coin from the Royal Collection Shop (RCS) - was hidden in the guards’ bearskin hats and a chest behind them.
Congratulating the children on a job well done, the Queen then handed each of them a party bag with pencils, a key ring and a guard teddy from the RCS for them to take home.
Earlier Engagements
Meanwhile, earlier today, Camilla cut a cake in the shape of a marmalade sandwich alongside Paddington Bear, as the fictional character was unveiled as the National Year of Reading ambassador for 2026. Camilla joined 150 volunteers and schoolchildren in the British Library earlier today to mark the National Year of Reading, and take part in The Big Lunch, across several marquees in the venue’s piazza. The Big Lunch encourages people across the UK to have lunch with their neighbours for a few hours of community, friendship and fun on the first weekend of June.
Camilla met 12-year-old author Betsy Griffin, who was diagnosed with a rare and inoperable brain tumour when she was two-years-old which left her blind. “I hear you wrote a book. I’m so impressed, that’s absolutely incredible,” Camilla told the young author, whose book Out Of The Woods was published by Harper Collins in 2024. Betsy, who gifted the Queen her book, said meeting the royal had been “very nerve-wracking”, adding: “Definitely one of the most memorable days of my life.”
The Queen’s engagement with the children came just hours after she joined King Charles and the Princess of Wales for a reception at St James’ Palace to celebrate the crucial work of Cancer Research UK. The event, which was hosted by the King as patron of Cancer Research, marked the charity's 125th anniversary and saw the royals meet researchers, clinicians, volunteers and partners involved in Cancer Research UK's prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
Earlier on Tuesday, Camilla opened a new roof garden at a London hospital, which will serve as an ‘outdoor ward’ for the wellbeing of the hospital’s most critically ill patients. The Queen arrived at St George’s Hospital, headed to the outdoor ward where she shook hands with patients, one of which has been in the hospital for 12 weeks. Speaking of the impact the outside space will have, the Queen said she was very impressed and can see the difference it will make. After unveiling the plaque to officially open the Neuro Intensive Care Balcony Garden, Camilla said: "I can see the difference it makes just stepping outside into the fresh air. And I'm sure all the patients here will benefit enormously from this, so I think you've done a wonderful job. I'm thrilled to be here to open it." As she left the hospital, Camilla was presented with a large floral bouquet, which left her beaming.
