Residents living at Royal Star & Garter Homes have received a letter from its Patron, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, as the charity celebrates its 110th anniversary.
The Princess Royal sent them her “best wishes for a wonderful celebration” in the letter, which was given to each resident at Royal Star & Garter Homes in Solihull, Surbiton and High Wycombe.
It comes as the charity marks its landmark anniversary in 2026.
Royal Star & Garter was established on 14 January 1916 to care for severely injured men returning from WWI battlegrounds, following concern expressed by Queen Mary. She charged the British Red Cross Society with finding a ‘permanent haven’ for severely disabled young men returning from war.
It is still supporting the nation’s military family, providing loving, compassionate care to veterans and their families, living with disability or dementia, through its Homes. The charity also provides services reaching into the community, including Lunch Clubs, Day Care and a national Telephone Friendship Service.
In her letter, Her Royal Highness lists key dates in the charity’s history, including its participation in the 1948 Stoke Mandeville Games – which launched the Paralympic movement – and the sale of its Home on Richmond Hill, which allowed for the building of three new state-of-the-art Homes. She also mentions her recent visit to Surbiton and ends her letter with:
“As Patron of Royal Star & Garter, I look forward to meeting many more of you in the coming years and I send you my best wishes for a wonderful celebration.”
Celebrations took place at the Homes on January 14, and also on Friday 30 January when oak trees were planted in each of their gardens to mark the occasion. This tied-in with the nationwide community-led Veterans’ Oaks initiative.
In Surbiton, 25 singers from Singology choir performed for residents, who also enjoyed afternoon tea. Guests included Kingston upon Thames Mayor Noel Hadjimichael, who planted the oak tree, and pupils from the Combined Cadet Force at Southborough High School.
The High Wycombe Home also hosted a tea party, attended by its local Mayor Majid Hussain. He helped plant the tree, along with Wing Commander Michael Adamson from RAF High Wycombe, who also joined in the celebrations.
The Solihull Home was decorated to mark the anniversary. Residents enjoyed live music, and tucked into a bespoke 110th birthday cake. Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst, Conservative MP for Solihull West & Shirley, was also on hand at the Home to help plant the oak tree, with Mayor Annette Mackenzie also in attendance.
Royal Star & Garter Chair Richard Williams MC said:
“The letter from The Princess Royal is a wonderful gift from our Patron to our residents and the planting of the oak trees, which symbolise strength, endurance and our belief in the future, will act as a living reminder of this anniversary for many years to come. This is a particular moment of pride and reflection and reminds us that we must build on our storied past to secure our services for future beneficiaries. Since 1916 we have provided exceptional care and unwavering support to veterans and their families. Today, as we plan to expand our services further, we look forward to continuing our necessary work.”
Royal Star & Garter is welcoming new residents to its Homes. For more information on this, its other services or to work for the charity, go to www.starandgarter.org
