A HOSPITAL chaplain said he will never forget meeting King Charles when the monarch came to Royal Bournemouth Hospital earlier this year.
His Majesty, who was the Prince of Wales at the time, spent a morning at the hospital meeting hundreds of staff and officially opening a new garden, which was created in memory to NHS colleagues who had died.
The Daily Echo attended the Royal visit on May 6 – a memorable day for many hospital workers who were able to speak with the monarch, snap a photograph and share their experiences.
The King was guided around the hospital site by chief nursing officer Paula Shobbrook, with him getting a close look a new operating theatre, which was built in a matter of weeks and due to treat its first patients just days after the visit.
Fittingly, His Majesty’s helicopter landed in King’s Park before he was taken to the nearby hospital by car.
During the tour of the estate, the 73-year-old monarch walked alongside the hospital’s lake, with the path lined with staff from patients and staff from various departments.
The visit was rounded off in the Lavender Garden, with the King unveiling a plague and meeting relatives and colleagues of hospital staff who have passed away.
Duncan Ridgeon, chaplain at University Hospital’s Dorset, told the Daily Echo: “King Charles recently came to Royal Bournemouth Hospital to recognise all that NHS staff and patients have been through during the past two years.
“During his visit he visited our new operating theatre and then officially opened our new Lavender Garden, dedicated to the memory of colleagues who have died and a special area for staff to rest and reflect.”
He added: “I was stationed in the Lavender Garden to meet King Charles and was very excited. However the special occasion made the monarchy more personal to me as King Charles wanted to give each person present his undivided time.
“He asked friendly questions to help us talk to him and I left wanting to spend more time with him talking about gardening and how precious our Lavender Garden is.
“Meeting him with my colleagues and my wife, a volunteer at the hospital, made the moment even more special. I will never forget meeting him.”
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