Queen Camilla praises Poppy Factory charity's important support for veterans
The Queen has praised the work of the Poppy Factory in its support for veterans during a special reception to mark the charity's 100th anniversary.
Queen Camilla hosted the event at Clarence House, meeting the factory's employees as well as veterans and family members.
The Poppy Factory was founded in 1922 to create civilian employment for wounded, sick and injured veterans of the First World War, first at its factory in London's Old Kent Road before production moved to Richmond upon Thames In 1924.
'Wonderful work'
The Queen viewed a small exhibition of poppies and wreaths that showed the evolution of the poppy as a symbol of Remembrance and highlighted the factory's role in making them for the Royal British Legion (RBL) and the Royal Household.
In recent years, the Poppy Factory has stopped producing poppies, a role taken on by the RBL, but continues to make around 100,000 wreaths a year for the RBL, including 200 specialist wreaths for dignitaries like the Royal Family and politicians.
After cutting a cake to mark the 100th anniversary the Queen made a speech to the guests, saying: "I can't believe that I've been part of it for 10 years. I'm very proud to be part of the Poppy Factory because I've seen the wonderful work that you do.
"It's so important nowadays to look after these veterans because sometimes they don't get as much attention as they need.
"So, if it wasn't for you and the other wonderful charities that are supporting them, I don't know what they'd do," the Queen added.
Queen Camilla also met people who have been helped by the Poppy Factory, including Army veteran Carly Hudson, who left the force in 2010.
"I got diagnosed with complex PTSD in 2022, so I've had a bit of a difficult time and have been engaging with Combat Stress for three years... I have had the most amazing support from the Poppy Factory," she told Forces News.
On meeting the Queen she added: "Today has been amazing, meeting the Queen, she's such a lovely lady, she's very engaged, good eye contact and she's very interested in what I had to say."
For the past decade, the Queen has shown continued support for the Poppy Factory, visiting its west London home and regularly touring Westminster Abbey's Field of Remembrance, filled with poppy crosses, ahead of Armistice Day.
It was clear just how much the reception meant to all involved as the charity looks forward to its next 100 years.
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