Queen Camilla brought a touch of star power to a royal engagement in Gloucestershire, as she was accompanied by former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell-Horner during a visit to a prominent cancer support charity. The Queen toured the Maggie's Cheltenham centre on Wednesday afternoon, an event organised to celebrate the organisation's three-decade milestone of providing essential care.
A Royal and Pop Star Partnership for a Vital Cause
The visit saw the Queen, who serves as president of Maggie's, warmly embracing Halliwell-Horner upon arrival. Camilla inquired if it was the pop star's first time at the centre, to which Halliwell-Horner enthusiastically replied in the affirmative. The former Spice Girl was invited as a guest due to her longstanding support for the charity's mission.
Despite rainy weather requiring a clear umbrella, the engagement proceeded with a series of meaningful interactions. Queen Camilla met with NHS staff, centre personnel, and individuals living with cancer, listening intently to their experiences of how Maggie's has supported them through challenging times.
Commemorating Three Decades of Cancer Support
During her visit, the Queen unveiled a portrait of herself created by artist Eileen Hogan and learned about the recently revamped garden at the Cheltenham centre. In a short speech marking the charity's 30th anniversary, Camilla expressed her pleasure at returning to the facility.
She fondly recalled her first encounter with the late founder Maggie Keswick Jencks many years ago, describing her as "warm, funny and generous." The Queen highlighted how Keswick Jencks confronted her own cancer diagnosis at age 47 with remarkable character, understanding the crucial need for patients to feel in control rather than helpless.
"She knew how vital it is to have access to information about treatment and the various options available," Camilla noted. "Above all, Maggie was convinced that people living with cancer crave a beautiful, comforting environment as they face the unknown."
The Broader Royal Context of Cancer Advocacy
This engagement carries particular resonance within the royal family's recent history. Just over a month prior to the visit, King Charles III – who was diagnosed with cancer in 2024 – shared positive news that his treatment schedule was being reduced in the new year, describing it as a "personal blessing."
Furthermore, both the King and the Princess of Wales were diagnosed with cancer nearly two years ago, with Kate announcing she was in remission at the beginning of 2025. The Queen's visit to Maggie's Cheltenham occurred on the same day her stepson, the Duke of Sussex, began giving evidence in London as part of his High Court legal battle against a newspaper publisher.
The Enduring Legacy of Maggie's Centres
Queen Camilla has served as president of Maggie's since 2008 and has now visited 18 of its 27 centres nationwide. The first Maggie's centre opened in the grounds of the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh back in 1996, establishing a model of care that has since expanded significantly.
The charity provides comprehensive support for people impacted by cancer, offering free psychological, emotional, and practical assistance without the need for appointments during drop-in sessions. This approach ensures accessible support for those navigating cancer diagnoses and treatments, creating the comforting environments that founder Maggie Keswick Jencks envisioned.
