Patients and staff at Watford’s Peace Hospice welcomed a Royal visitor today as Her Royal Highness Princess Michael of Kent opened a new extension of its facilities.

The princess, who last visited the hospice ten years ago when she opened the Inpatient Unit, toured the new facilities and chatted to patients, staff and their families.

Her Royal Highness was shown around new counselling facilities, accommodation and complementary therapy rooms and was also shown a range of new facilities for children and young people – all provided by a £500,000 government grant.

She said: “It is a joy to be here again, it is such a wonderful, warm place. As the president of The Peace Hospice, I am very pleased to attend this special occasion in its life.

“The Peace Hospice has a special place in my heart among the charities that I support, and I have fond memories of the two previous occasions when I have visited.

“Today I have been privileged to meet and talk with some of the patients, their carers, and the staff and volunteers who look after them. One cannot fail to be moved by such experiences and to be reminded so directly and so personally about why the work of the Peace Hospice is so important.”

One patient, Frederick Cross, 81, was moved to tears by the princess' visit. The former volunteer firefighter said: "She has made me feel very special today. This will be something my grandchildren can see, and tell people about. It is a wonderful memory for me."

Another patient, 89-year-old Peter Winn said he was delighted to meet the princess.

Chairman of Trustees Stuart Nagler said: "It is very exciting and we are very grateful that Her Royal Highness has found the time to visit. Her commitment to the hospice has always been very strong and we are very thankful for that.

"This is a very exciting day for many people here, some of whom have been with us since we started in a porter cabin. We are looking forward to opening the unit which will deliver even better care to those we serve.

“The new facilities will help to further enhance the provision for patients and their families – not just in Watford but across South West Hertfordshire.    

“We were able to help over 1,000 patients last year and these additional facilities will help us to provide the best possible environment in which to deliver care to those people who need us."

The hospice, however, has once again issued an appeal for support in challenging economic times.

Hospice chief executive Sue Plummer said: “I would urge the local community to continue to support us financially. We’ve had a very difficult year and have once again experienced a shortfall in our charitable income target.  

"We are operating in very difficult times and we need to raise over £3 million in charitable income this year so that we can continue to serve the community.”

As the tour came to an end Mrs Plummer also thanked The Wolfson Foundation and The Beatrice Laing Trust who helped by providing the fixtures and fittings.