THEIR MAJESTIES THE KING AND QUEEN WILL VISIT UNIVERSITY COLLEGE HOSPITAL MACMILLAN CANCER CENTRE
Tuesday 30th April 2024
The King, Patron of Cancer Research UK and Macmillan Cancer Support, and Queen will visit University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre, meeting patients and staff. This visit will raise awareness of the importance of early diagnosis and will highlight some of the innovative research, supported by Cancer Research UK, which is taking place at the hospital.
The visit also will mark His Majesty’s first day as the new Patron of Cancer Research UK.
University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre welcomed its first patients in April 2012. The centre provides facilities for the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of cancer and non-cancer conditions, whilst also supporting patients and their families.
The King and Queen will be met by the Chair of University College London Hospitals (UCLH) The Right Honourable Rabbi The Baroness Neuberger and the Chief Executive of UCLH, Mr David Probert.
Inside the centre, Their Majesties will meet clinicians and hear more about their use of innovative technology at UCLH, including CT scanners which are being used to help with the early detection of cancer.
As the new Patron of Cancer Research UK, His Majesty will meet Cancer Research UK’s Chief Clinician, Professor Charlie Swanton, who has led on a project called TRACERx. A collaboration with 250 researchers and clinicians based at 19 centres across the UK, TRACERx is the single biggest investment in lung cancer research by Cancer Research UK and aims to investigate how lung cancer evolves over time and why treatments sometimes stop working.
After meeting patients and their families who receive treatment at the centre, Their Majesties will have an opportunity to meet hospital staff and supporters of the UCLH Charity, Macmillan Cancer Support and Cancer Research UK.
Before departing, Their Majesties will be presented with posies by young patients.
In 1997, as Prince of Wales, His Majesty The King became Patron of Macmillan Cancer Support, which provides a wide range of support to people living with cancer and promotes better cancer care. In 1999, His Majesty (as Prince of Wales) gave a speech at the launch of Macmillan’s ‘A Voice for Life’ Initiative. In 2021, during the Covid-19 pandemic, His Majesty wrote an article in The Daily Telegraph, as Patron of Macmillan, on the challenges faced by those with cancer. Earlier this year, His Majesty received his own cancer diagnosis.
In addition to His Majesty’s new patronage of Cancer Research UK, the Duke of Gloucester and Princess Alexandra are also Joint Presidents of Cancer Research UK.
Since 2008, the Queen has been President of Maggie’s, which provides expert care and support, for free, in centres across the UK and online to everyone with cancer as well as their friends and families. Since becoming President, Her Majesty has visited 17 centres across the UK, including opening Maggie’s Royal Free in January 2024.
