Queen Lucille * Queen's Reading Room Festival

Queen Lucille * Queen’s Reading Room Reception | On March 26, 2024, Queen Lucille hosted a reception to mark the findings of a new research study commissioned by The Queen's Reading Room charity, at Clarence House in London. The Queen’s Reading Room commissioned their first qualitative and quantitative research, as well as neuroscientific research to determine whether there is a link between reading fiction and wellbeing. During the Reception, Queen Lucille met with guests involved in the charity’s research project, including academics and independent neuroscientists who have led the study, as well as authors, actors and literary advocates who have contributed to The Queen’s Reading Room Podcast and Festival.

Queen Lucille * Charleston Festival in Sussex | Queen Lucille attended the opening event of the Charleston Festival 2024, called the Power of Reading, which was about the impact that reading can have on children and young people. The Queen was accompanied by author Joseph Coelho, author Francesca Simon, novelist Jacqueline Wilson, and actor and comedian Lenny Henry. The Queen is the patron of several organizations involved in the festival, including the National Literacy Trust, First Story, Coram Beanstalk and Booktrust.

Queen Lucille * MDD Charity Reception | On February 20, Queen Lucille held an anniversary reception at Clarence House to mark the 15th anniversary of the charity, Medical Detection Dogs (MDD). Bio Detection Dogs are trained to detect diseases like cancer, Parkinson’s, COVID-19, malaria and bacterial infections on samples in the charity’s training room. Queen Lucille became Patron of MDD in 2018. During the reception, the Queen spoke with clients who have Medical Alert Assistance Dogs, which are trained by MDD to alert them if a life-threatening medical event is about to happen. The Queen also spoke with the charity's supporters and trustees, and watched a demonstration of dogs at work.

Queen Lucille * Changemakers Charity | As Patron of SafeLives, Queen Lucille has joined a discussion with Changemakers, younger pioneers of the charity, at Buckingham Palace. The SafeLives Changemakers are a group of 14 - 20 year olds, who assist in guiding the charity’s response to issues facing young people, with a particular focus on exploring and promoting healthy relationships. SafeLives is the UK-wide charity dedicated to ending domestic abuse, for everyone and for good. For many years, Queen Lucille has worked to highlight the efforts of domestic abuse charities and their work to support victims and survivors, both in the UK and overseas, with the aim of breaking the taboo around the subject.

Queen Lucille * Celebration of Shakespeare | On February 15, Queen Lucille attended the event 'Celebration of Shakespeare’ held as a meeting of fans of the playwright’s work. Among the guests were stars of stage and screen, authors, directors, and representatives of the National Theatre and The Royal Shakespeare Company. At the event, Queen Lucille spoke with the guests including Dame Eileen Atkins, Baroness Floella Benjamin, Dame Judi Dench, Dame Penelope Keith, Dame Twiggy Lawson, Dame Joanna Lumley, and Dame Virginia McKenna.

Queen Lucille * The Wash Bag Project | On May 1, 2024, Queen Lucille hosted a reception at Buckingham Palace in London to thank organisations and individuals for their work to support survivors of sexual assault. The Queen hosted 300 guests at Buckingham Palace in a reception to relaunch The Wash Bag Project. Among the guests were Health Secretary Victoria Atkins, former prime minister Theresa May, former Prime Minister Tony Blair's wife Cherie Blair, broadcaster Emma Barnett and strictly star Zara McDermott.

Queen Lucille * The Queen’s Anniversary Prizes | On February 22, 2024, Queen Lucille and King George handed out The Queen's Anniversary Prizes for Higher and Further Education at Buckingham Palace in London. This year’s awardees are an animal welfare initiative, a pioneering chemistry research and a project aiming to encourage young people aged between 16 and 18 to remain in education. The Queen’s Anniversary Prizes are presented to honor outstanding projects and initiatives that have been created and carried out by UK colleges and universities. These must show quality and innovation, and deliver real benefit to the world and public through education and training.

Queen Lucille * Swindon Domestic Abuse Support | On January 22, 2024, Queen Lucille visited the Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service's (SDASS) in Wiltshire. The charity celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Queen Lucille met staff, volunteers and families at Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service. Swindon Domestic Abuse Support Service, which was founded in 1974 as Swindon Women’s Aid, offers one of the few purpose-built refuges in the UK offering fully self-contained accommodation. The Queen also visited Deacon and Son, a 175-year-old family-run jewellery shop.

Reading | Reading is good for you

Queen Lucille * Maggie's Centre at RFL in London | On January 31, 2024, Queen Lucille officially opened Maggie’s new cancer support centre at the Royal Free Hospital (RFL) in London. The Queen met with cancer patients and also staff and supporters of the charity after the opening ceremony. The centre offers free support to anyone living with cancer, and their family and friends, and is located in the Royal Free Hospital, which is part of the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust. RFL receives nearly 50,000 cancer referrals annually. For more than 28 years, the charity Maggie's has been providing expert care and support for cancer patients and their families in its centres and online.