Remembering our Royal Visit

The weekend of the 2-5 June marks a historic moment in the history of our country, as we celebrate 70 years of the Queen's reign, a milestone that has never been reached by any British Monarch. Our Volunteer Manager, Gill Wendelken, remembers the exciting occasion in 1985, when the Prince Philip came to visit our Hospice.

"Following the hospice doors opening to patients in July 1984, our Trustees were hoping to arrange a Royal visit and application was made asking if the Queen would honour us with such a visit, which sadly, could not be arranged owing to the her very busy diary.

"We then heard about a visit to a Romford factory, taking place in November 1985 by the Duke of Edinburgh; and we asked if he would also visit us that day. The reply received was that whilst we couldn't have a 'public' visit, Prince Philip had granted us a private visit.

"We were delighted, even though we couldn't say a word to the local community until after the event. As Assistant Administrator it was my job to organise this special day, communicating with the Duke's Equerry, including the security arrangements for such a visit.

"The Duke's signature was the first in our new Visitors Book.

"The trustees, staff and volunteers were so pleased with the amount of time the Duke gave to meeting and talking with us all; and especially with our patients and families.

The Duke meeting a patient and family member on our ward

"Ted Sepple, a local photographer with the Romford Recorder, acted as our official photographer that day and took a number of wonderful photographs; providing copies we could keep and also pass to the patients as well.

"Although we regarded this as an 'official' visit, because it was a private function the tone was relaxed with laughter and humour, especially from the Duke himself, which set the tone for a very memorable special day for Saint Francis Hospice."