The Sunday Telegraph

Queen says she waves to London Air Ambulances when they fly over her Wiltshire home

- By Victoria Ward DEPUTY ROYAL EDITOR specialist

THE Queen has revealed that she waves to air ambulances when they fly above her garden.

She was chatting to paramedics on a visit to the Royal London Hospital to mark Internatio­nal Nurses Day.

She thanked nurses for the “wonderful” work they do as she was told by the parents of a seriously ill child that they were the “guiding light in the darkest days”.

The Queen, 76, was introduced to paramedics based at the hospital who work for London Air Ambulance, telling them their work was “very impressive”. She added: “I am the ambulance patron in Wiltshire, so when I see the helicopter­s flying overhead at home, I stand outside and wave at them.”

Her Majesty, who retreats to her private home, Ray Mill in Wiltshire, whenever she is able, is patron of the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Charitable Trust. She was at the hospital in her role as patron of Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity and met some of the specialist nurses who work for the organisati­on.

“Thank you for the wonderful work you do,” she told them.

The charity provides nurses and care for children with some of the most complex health conditions in the UK.

The Queen was also introduced to some of the patients and families supported by the charity, among them twoyear-old Taymiyyah Amin, who is receiving palliative care.

Taymiyyah’s mother, Seham Amin, 34, said later: “I told Queen Camilla how our Roald Dahl nurse Holly has been the guiding light in the darkest days.

“She’s been helping us and we’ve had some tough journeys, difficult times. Sometimes emotional support is all you need.

“We’ve seen a different side to what you see on TV, we’ve seen how humble and lovely she is. I was so nervous but as soon as I had that first chat with her, she made me feel at ease.”

Luxury department store Fortnum & Mason is among the first organisati­ons to be granted a royal warrant by the Queen, Buckingham Palace has announced.

The Queen has appointed seven royal warrant holders which have also received the accolade from the King, including a Cornwall-based sparkling wine producer and Shane Connolly, florist for the couple’s 2005 wedding and their Westminste­r Abbey Coronation.

 ?? ?? The Queen, patron of Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity, meets nurses on a visit to the Royal London Hospital
The Queen, patron of Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity, meets nurses on a visit to the Royal London Hospital

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