SPECIAL VISITORS: HER MAJESTY ADDS CROWNING TOUCH TO A NEW HOSPICE

THE QUEEN AND PRINCESS ROYAL MAKE A SURPRISE APPEARANCE AT THE CENTRE'S OFFICIAL OPENING

-  SAMUEL MCMANUS-MAXWELL

The Queen looked to be in high spirits as she made a surprise visit with the Princess Royal to the official opening of a new care centre at Thames Hospice on Friday. The unexpected mother-and-daughter engagement led to the 96-year-old monarch meeting staff and volunteers after travelling the short distance from her Windsor Castle home to the hospice in Maidenhead.

Leaning on her walking stick, the Queen wore a pale blue floral dress, which she teamed with her signature pearl earrings and necklace. She carried a black handbag that matched her shoes as she toured the hospice which has provided palliative and end-of-life care and support for more than 30 years.