Care home welcomes back its royal patron
The Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society has welcomed its royal patron HRH Princess Anne to its Belvedere House care home for the first time since the pandemic began.
Maritime charity The Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society has welcomed its royal patron HRH Princess Anne to its Belvedere House care home in Surrey for the first time since the pandemic began.
HRH The Princess Royal spent quality time with staff members, residents and tenants and surveyed the home’s latest modernisation plan.
Commander Brian Boxall-Hunt, CEO at The Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society, said: “We were honoured to be able to host our patron HRH The Princess Royal at the home once again and show how we are looking to the future and continuing to invest to make the society a place to support and provide for former seafarers and their dependents for many years to come.
“I would like to thank HRH The Princess Royal for her patronage and continuing support of the society, and all our staff who continue to offer the very best care for the residents who call Belvedere House home.”
During her visit, the princess met tenant Anne Macleod-Carey, a former WRNS visual signaller (1943-1945) and MN Union Castle 3rd Officer who joined the WRNS at the age of 17 in the midst of the Second World War.
Macleod-Carey, who lives at the society’s Weston Acres sheltered housing facility, said: “After a difficult and quite sombre year for all, it was fantastic to have everyone come together to welcome the society’s wonderful patron, HRH The Princess Royal – a definite highlight of my time here at Weston Acres.
“I have such a passion for the sea and, as chief commandant of women in the Royal Navy, The Princess Royal is inspiring to us all – it’s fantastic for the society to have such a knowledgeable patron who always takes the time to have meaningful conversations with us.”
The Royal Alfred Seafarers’ Society has provided housing, residential and nursing care to former seafarers, their widows and dependants in Banstead since 1865 and is incorporated under Royal Charter.
Plans for Belvedere House include creating en-suite wet rooms for residents, extending bedrooms and building a new lounge.
