Queen Laughs Off Mobile Phone Interruption During Hospice Opening

The Queen showed her sense of humor when a mobile phone unexpectedly rang during a critical moment as she officially opened a hospice building near her residence.

Despite the scorching temperatures in the UK on Friday, the 96-year-old monarch, accompanied by her daughter Princess Anne, made the journey from Windsor Castle to Maidenhead to unveil the new home of the Thames Hospice.

This hospice has been welcoming members of the royal family for decades and provides palliative and end-of-life care to people aged 16 years and over in East Berkshire and South Buckinghamshire.

The royal visit coincided with the United Kingdom experiencing a historic heatwave, with the Met Office issuing extreme heat weather warnings across the country.

Temperatures are forecasted to reach up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit in some areas next week.

However, the Queen appeared with a lively spirit when she arrived at the opening ceremony just before midday.

To beat the heat, she chose to forgo her usual trademark colored coat and hat, opting instead for a simple floral print dress and black accessories, including her trusted black patent leather handbag.

The monarch also wore a diamond aquamarine brooch, which once belonged to her mother, and a three-strand heirloom pearl necklace.

Princess Anne looked elegant in a striped yellow dress.

As a mobility aid, the Queen used a long walking stick with a polished handle, which was presented to her as an official platinum jubilee gift on behalf of the British Army.

Upon arrival at the hospice, the royal mother and daughter received a warm welcome.

During their tour, they met with staff, volunteers, and patients.

In a particularly poignant moment, the Queen was introduced to Graham White and his wife Pat, who is receiving respite care at the center.

Just as the Queen was introduced to Mr. White, his phone rang, and he quickly reached into his pocket to turn it off.

The Queen humorously remarked, “Typical, a phone goes off immediately.”

Mr. White sheepishly explained that it was his son calling.

Mrs. White, who sat chatting with the Queen, described the encounter as very emotional and expressed her appreciation for the Queen's sense of humor.

Mr. White, a former warrant officer, and his wife both served in the army.

He shared, “People think the Queen is all stiff upper lip, but she has a sense of humor.”

Reflecting on the incident, he added, “I turned my wife's phone off, and I could have sworn mine off as well.

That was a bit embarrassing.”

Mrs. White mentioned that the Queen admired the new building and showed keen interest in the different treatments for cancer.

She hoped that the facility would provide support to all the cancer patients there.

Before leaving, the Queen officially unveiled the plaque alongside Princess Anne and signed the visitor's book.

Princess Anne stayed behind to visit more hospice patients in the 20-bed inpatient department.

The Thames Hospice, which has been running for over 30 years, offers nursing, medical, and therapeutic care to support the physical, social, and emotional needs of patients and their loved ones.

The hospice relies on generous donations and the dedicated efforts of 700 volunteers to provide its services free of charge.

With the opening of the new £22 million state-of-the-art facility, the center can now care for twice as many patients.

The former Windsor site of the Thames Hospice was opened by the Queen in 1987 and has since welcomed notable visitors such as Diana, Princess of Wales, and Sophie, Countess of Wessex.

The new building, located beside a picturesque lake surrounded by trees in Maidenhead, features an open-plan reception with an airy atrium, a cafe, and a shop.

Debbie Raven, the hospice's chief executive, expressed her gratitude for the royal family's interest and support, stating that it means a great deal to both the staff and patients.

Sarah Williams Kelly, a former nurse and current volunteer at the hospice, had the opportunity to chat with the Queen.