The Queen has spoken of the "hundreds of questions" cancer patients and their loved ones have, and how important it is to have "a place where they needn’t pretend to be fine; where they can receive expert support, sympathy and a cup of tea".
Camilla made her comments during a visit to Maggie's Cheltenham, one of 27 centres across the country, which support people impacted by cancer. The charity is celebrating its 30th anniversary.
Among the guests were former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell-Horner and Sarah Brown, the wife of former Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
Greeting Geri with a kiss on each cheek, Camilla asked: "How are you, Geri? Is this your first visit?"
"Yeah, amazing," Geri replied.
Geri joined the Queen as she met cancer patient Caitlin Warrington, 23, who was diagnosed with a rare form of ovarian cancer when she was just 14, and suffered relapses at 16 and 18. She is now in remission.
Explaining how Maggie's had helped them, Caitlin said: "It's not just for me but for my mum as well. We both come for support, and financially as well, so it's been really great."
Caitlin's mother Nikki said: "As we all know, in a hospital environment you just don't get that support, when you're sat in cold waiting rooms or you're sat by a bed. Once the treatment is over you are just left on your own."
Camilla replied: "There are hundreds of questions to ask which nobody has time to answer, which you come here and there are people ready to answer."
When another patient told her about the support he has received there, she said: "It's life changing."
© Getty ImagesCamilla, in a blue cashmere suit by Fiona Clare, had arrived under an umbrella and was greeted by Maggie’s chief executive Dame Laura Lee and Cheltenham’s mayor, Cllr David Willingham.
In a speech, she described Maggie's as "a bright, peaceful place, with inspiring people full of stories about the difference that Maggie's had made to them and to their families".
Paying tribute to Maggie Keswick Jencks, a writer, gardener and designer who used her own experience of cancer to co-found the drop-in centres, which offer free psychological, emotional and practical support, she said: "I cannot help but look around and reflect how proud Maggie would be to see her incredible legacy.
"She understood – for herself and for others – the importance of feeling in control, rather than a helpless victim. She knew how vital it is to have access to information about treatment and the various options available.
"Above all, Maggie was convinced that people living with cancer crave a beautiful, comforting environment as they face the unknown; a place where they needn't pretend to be fine; where they can receive expert support, sympathy and a cup of tea – and where laughter can come as naturally as tears, because sometimes that's what's wanted."
© Getty ImagesBefore she left, Camilla unveiled a portrait of herself, by artist Eileen Hogan which had been commissioned by the King and donated to Maggie's by the artist. It shows Camilla sitting at her desk at Birkhall.
The Cheltenham centre, which Camilla opened in 2010, has recently been extended and had landscaping to enhance the space.
© Alamy Live News.There were more kisses between Camilla and Geri as the Queen left. Geri, who has recently been introduced to the charity, said afterwards: "I think it's absolutely amazing. I appreciate everything so much more when I have support and you bring joy into that process and that's what Maggie’s does.
"I'm such a big fan of the Queen. I think she's amazing and stoic. I think she's fantastic, a formidable force of nature. She's watched Maggie's grow, and it teaches us that we need each other."
Dame Laura said: "We are always delighted to welcome our President, Her Majesty the Queen, to our centres and to do so today at the start of our 30th anniversary year is very special.
"Her heartfelt words about the importance of our expert care and the impact of Maggie’s vision on those facing cancer are touching and powerful. We are so honoured she has chosen to share them with us.
“I am so incredibly grateful to Her Majesty for all the support she has so generously given since she became our President in 2008. I know her words will help encourage more people to come to us for support and find ways of experiencing the joy of living despite a daunting cancer diagnosis.
“As we now look towards the next three decades of Maggie's, with the aim of realising our ambition of having 60 centres across the UK so no one faces cancer alone, it is wonderful to know she is with us every step of the way."
