THE QUEEN beamed in summer florals while on a surprise visit to a hospice to support patients today.
The 96-year-old monarch was joined by her daughter Princess Anne to open a new centre at the Thames Hospice.
The monarch – who has suffered intermittent mobility problems – travelled the short distance from her Windsor Castle home to Maidenhead.
There, she toured the hospice – meeting staff, volunteers and a patient.
For more than 30 years Thames Hospice has been providing palliative and end-of-life care and support to people across East Berkshire and South Buckinghamshire.
Its services are free for those who need care, and more than 50 per cent of the £13 million annual running costs come from charitable support.
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During her visit the Queen was seen shaking hands with hospice patient Pat White as she continued her tour.
On Tuesday, the Queen awarded NHS heroes with the George Cross at a special Windsor ceremony.
And she was spotted making her guests laugh before Prince Charles then stepped in to congratulate them for the honour.
The royals have teamed up to recognise the NHS for its "courage, compassion and dedication", particularly during the pandemic.
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Guests at Tuesday's event included NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard and her counterparts from NHS Scotland and NHS Wales, Caroline Lamb and Judith Paget.
A frontline worker from each of the home nations also attended.
May Parsons, the nurse who delivered the world's first Covid-19 vaccine outside clinical trials to Margaret Keenan in December 2020, was among them.
The award of the George Cross by the Queen is made on the advice of the George Cross Committee and the Prime Minister.
Tuesday marked the third occasion on which it has been awarded to a collective body, country or organisation, rather than an individual.
In a message sent on on Windsor Castle-headed paper last July, on the 73rd anniversary of the NHS's foundation, the Queen wrote: "It is with great pleasure, on behalf of a grateful nation, that I award the George Cross to the National Health Services of the United Kingdom.
"This award recognises all NHS staff, past and present, across all disciplines and all four nations.
"Over more than seven decades, and especially in recent times, you have supported the people of our country with courage, compassion and dedication, demonstrating the highest standards of public service.
"You have our enduring thanks and heartfelt appreciation."
"This award recognises all NHS staff, past and present, across all disciplines and all four nations.
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"Over more than seven decades, and especially in recent times, you have supported the people of our country with courage, compassion and dedication, demonstrating the highest standards of public service.
"You have our enduring thanks and heartfelt appreciation."
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