Queen Elizabethand Princess Anne just teamed up for a surprise engagement.

The Queen, wearing a floral print dress and pearl accessories, moved around with the aide of a cane, which she has been using regularly since October due to herongoing mobility issues. And of course, she didn’t leave home without hertrusty handbagon her arm.

The hospice charity has been providing end-of-life and palliative care for people in the area for around 30 years for free, and the charity relies on donations for half of its $15.5 million annual running costs.

Queen Elizabeth and Princess Anne.PA

Queen Elizabeth II meeting staff during a visit to officially open the new building at Thames Hospice

It was the Queen’s fourth visit to the charity. She first opened Thames Hospice in Nov. 1987. In the last few years, it has been modernized and rebuilt on a new site following a huge $26 million fundraising effort.

Thames Hospice Chair of Trustees Jonathan Jones said afterwards, “Today’s momentous visit builds upon a long-held association between the royal family and Thames Hospice. It is a huge privilege to welcome Her Majesty to officially open our facility and show how the charity continues to flourish 35 years on from the Queen’s very first visit.”

Queen Elizabeth.PA

Queen Elizabeth II meeting patient Pat White during a visit to officially open the new building at Thames Hospice

Princess Anne also toured the Hospice, meeting nursing colleagues and patients.

Chief Executive Officer Debbie Raven said, “We are so grateful that she took the time to speak to a number of patients, as well as many colleagues in our frontline teams.”

“Our official opening marks the start of an exciting new era for Thames Hospice, and our facility will continue to offer vital support to everyone who needs palliative and end-of-life care now and for generations to come,” Raven added.

PA

Queen Elizabeth II with Jonathan Jones, Chair of Trustees, during a visit to officially open the new building at Thames Hospice

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles.AARON CHOWN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II (5L) and Britain’s Prince Charles, Prince of Wales (5R) pose with (back row LtoR) Peter May, Permanent Secretary at Britain’s Department of Health, Amanda Pritchard, Chief Executive NHS England, Caroline Lamb, Chief Executive NHS Scotland, and Judith Paget, Chief Executive NHS Wales as (front row LtoR) Sister Joanna Hogg, Royal Victoria Hospital Emergency Department, May Parsons, Modern Matron at University Hospital Coventry and Warkwickshire, Eleanor Grant, Palliative Care Nurse, Specialist University Hospital Wishaw, NHS Lanarkshire, and Dr Ami Jones, Intensive Care Consultant, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board sit with George Cross medals awarded to Britian’s National Health Service (NHS) Audience at Windsor Castle

Although members of the royal family have hosted investiture ceremonies on her behalf, the monarch herself has not personally handed out honors since 2020.

Queen Elizabeth II signs the Visitor’s Book during a visit to officially open the new building at Thames Hospice

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Earlier this month, during a week at Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, the Queen was well enough to carry out an engagement every day,including attending a paradein the gardens.

source: people.com