The new Patron of Royal Star & Garter has visited the charity’s Home in Surbiton.

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal was given a tour of the Home during her visit on Friday 24 October.

The Princess Royal also spent time with residents including Lady Audrey, wife of Sir John Richards, who served in the Royal Marines and later as Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps at the Royal Household.

The visit is The Princess Royal’s first to a Royal Star & Garter Home since she was named its new Patron. She has succeeded her late mother Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, who was Royal Star & Garter’s Patron from 1953 until her death in 2022.

The charity provides loving, compassionate care and support for veterans and their families, living with disability or dementia, through its Homes in Solihull, Surbiton, High Wycombe and Worthing. It also provides services reaching into the community, including Lunch Clubs, Day Care and a national Telephone Friendship Service.

Her Royal Highness was received by Deputy Lieutenant Father Martin Hislop, along with Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, Councillor Noel Hadjimichael. She was given a tour by Home Manager Helena Maher, accompanied by Royal Star & Garter Chair Richard Williams and Chief Executive Andy Cole. It took in the Home’s dementia care area, updated Café Bar and activities spaces.

During the visit The Princess Royal met Mary Holley, whose husband was a D-Day Navy veteran, and received flowers from Dulcie Tingay, whose husband also served in the Navy. Mary said: “I was immensely proud to meet Her Royal Highness and talk to her about my life and my husband’s service in the Royal Navy. The Princess was very kind and well-informed and I really enjoyed meeting her and introducing my daughter Helen.”

Afterwards, The Princess Royal had tea with residents and staff in the dining area and thanked them for their work and dedication to the Armed Forces community. Among residents she chatted with were WWII veterans Amy and Joyce.

‘Deeply honoured’

Richard Williams, Royal Star & Garter’s Chair, said: “We are deeply honoured to have welcomed our new Patron, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, to our Home in Surbiton. It was a privilege to introduce her to residents and staff, show her around and share with her our plans for the future. We are deeply appreciative of her unwavering commitment to the welfare of veterans, their families, and the many charitable and military organisations she also supports.”

Royal Star & Garter in Surbiton is also welcoming new residents. For more information on this, its other services or to work at the Home, go to: www.starandgarter.org/surbiton