Queen Camilla emphasised that those living with cancer require somewhere they "needn't pretend to be fine" whilst visiting Maggie's cancer support centre in Cheltenham.
Her Majesty, who serves as president of the charity, addressed patients and families at the facility, one of 27 such centres operating across the country.
During her speech, the 78-year-old honoured founder Maggie Keswick Jencks, stating that she recognised cancer patients' need to "receive expert support, sympathy and a cup of tea."
The Queen said: "Maggie was convinced that people living with cancer crave a beautiful, comforting environment as they face the unknown; a place where they needn't pretend to be fine, where laughter can come as naturally as tears, because sometimes that's what's wanted."
Queen Camilla says cancer patients ‘needn’t pretend to be fine’ after supporting King and Kate
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The Queen has stood by the King throughout his own cancer diagnosis, which was announced in February 2024, and his continuing treatment.
She has previously remarked that her husband, known for his relentless work ethic, "won't slow down and won't do what he's told."
The Princess of Wales has similarly navigated the challenges of cancer, having undergone chemotherapy before entering remission.
Speaking with cancer patients last year, she observed: "Everybody expects you to be better, go! But that's not the case at all."
Queen Camilla visiting Maggie's cancer support centre in Cheltenham
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Princess Kate described the experience as "very scary, very daunting," noting that recovery does not simply conclude when treatment ends, with patients requiring time to discover their "new normal."
She has spoken openly about chemotherapy bringing "good days and bad days," with difficult periods leaving patients feeling "weak and tired."
Among those the Queen met was Caitlin Warrington, a 23-year-old who received a diagnosis of a rare ovarian cancer at just 14, subsequently experiencing relapses at ages 16 and 18.
Ms Warrington, now in remission, explained the centre's impact: "It's not just for me but for my mum as well. We both come for support, and financially as well, so it's been really great."
The King was diagnosed with cancer at the beginning of 2024
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Her mother, Nikki, highlighted the contrast with hospital settings, noting that cold waiting rooms and bedsides offer little emotional assistance, with patients often abandoned once treatment concludes.
The Queen acknowledged this gap, responding: "There are hundreds of questions to ask which nobody has time to answer, but you come here, and there are people ready to answer."
After hearing from another patient about the centre's support, she agreed it was "life-changing."
Former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell-Horner attended the event alongside Sarah Brown, wife of the former Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
Princess Kate announced she had been diagnosed with a undisclosed form of cancer in 2024
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Mrs Halliwell-Horner, who experienced a cancer scare during her teenage years, accompanied the Queen during her meeting with Ms Warrington.
She praised the charity's approach, saying: "I appreciate everything so much more when I have support, and you bring joy into that process, and that's what Maggie's does."
Of the Queen, she added: "I think she's amazing and stoic. I think she's fantastic, a formidable force of nature. She's watched Maggie's grow, and it teaches us that we need each other."
The visit marked the charity's 30th anniversary, with the Queen recalling her first encounter with Ms Keswick Jencks during the 1960s at her boutique, AnnaCat.
She remembered the founder as "warm, funny and generous" before her cancer diagnosis in 1988 at 47.