23 January 2009
HRH Princess Alexandra Visits The Royal Star & Garter Home
Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra paid an informal visit to The Royal Star & Garter Homes in Richmond this week. The Princess, who is President of the Charity for disabled ex-Service men and women, met most of the residents and a number of staff including five student nurses from the Royal Centre for Defence Medecine at Selly Oak NHS Hospital, Birmingham, who will be working at the Richmond Home over the next six weeks.
Resident Jessie Millard, who was a nurse with the Naval Voluntary Aid Detachment during the Second World War, presented the Princess with a posy of spring flowers. Her Royal Highness then saw a display of residents' artwork which was recently included in the Richmond Disabled Arts exhibition, and spoke to the talented residents about the materials used and their source of inspiration. She also visited the Physiotherapy department where a large group of residents was enjoying a Movement to Music session.
Her Royal Highness was escorted by Vice Admiral Sir John Dunt, Chairman of the Royal Star & Garter's Board of Governors, and Lynn McDougall, Chief Executive, who updated the Princess on the successful outcome of the Charity's planning application to build a new care home as part of a development at Hampton Court Station. Before departing the Princess signed the visitors' book and chatted to staff who had gathered in the main hall.
Photo Caption: HRH Princess Alexandra meets (L-R) Care Assistant Estrelita de Leon, residents Cecilia Pollock, Doris Wigmore, and Eamon McArdle at the Physiotherapy department’s Movement to Music session.