The Queen visits OAPs as she opens Royal British Legion care home ahead of Remembrance Day

0
317

THE Queen visited OAPs in Kent today as she opened a British Royal Legion care home ahead of Remembrance Day.

Schoolchildren and well-wishers lined the streets at the Royal British Legion Industries Centenary Village in Aylesford, hoping for a glimpse of the UK’s longest reigning monarch.

The Queen visited the Royal British Legion Industries village to celebrate the charity’s centenary year in Kent
The monarch speaks with OAPs and learns about the recreational activities on offer at the village
The monarch speaks with OAPs and learns about the recreational activities on offer at the village
The Queen is all smile as she meets a service dog during
The Queen is all smile as she meets a service dog during

The Queen buried a time capsule at the Centenary Village and it will be opened in 100 years by future residents

The Queen buried a time capsule at the Centenary Village and it will be opened in 100 years by future residents

The Queen waved to crowds as she stepped out of her limousine wearing a long coat of deep purple and matching hat.

She meet veteran John Ahben, who gave her a traditional Fijian greeting while sat on the ground.

Mr Ahben, 42, was left unconscious for two weeks with a severe head injury after a car accident while training in Cyprus.

She toured facilities designed to support armed forces veterans and their families, ahead of Remembrance Day.

The Centenary Village and Appleton Lodge are run by Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI), a national charity supporting armed forces personnel and veterans and their families, as well as those with a disability and the long-term unemployed.

The Queen visited to officially open the new Appleton Lodge care facility where she unveiled a plaque.

Appleton Lodge, named after First World War frontline nurse Edith Appleton, and the Queen saw how the new development provides care for all 15 residents.

The 93-year-old royal will also see how residents are benefiting from the wide array of activities that are offered, including arts and crafts, flower arranging and reading sessions with local schoolchildren.

At the Centenary Village she will meet their oldest resident, 99-year-old Second World War veteran John Riggs.

She will see the completed first phase of the development, which includes 24 specially-adapted flats for wounder former military personnel.

Her Majesty will also be shown plans for the next phase, which hopes to support hundreds of ex-servicemen and women.

She will then meet village residents and staff of the on-site social enterprise, ‘Britain’s Bravest Manufacturing Company’.

Her engagement will end with a lunch celebration for the charity’s 100th anniversary.

A time capsule was buried at the Centenary Village to commemorate the visit and will be opened in 100 years by future residents.

The Queen unveiled a plaque to officially open the new Appleton Lodge care facility
The Queen unveiled a plaque to officially open the new Appleton Lodge care facility
The Queen chats with veteran John Ahben and his family during a visit to the Royal British Legion Industries village
The Queen chats with veteran John Ahben and his family during a visit to the Royal British Legion Industries village
The Queen beams as she meets a veteran's family
The Queen beams as she meets a veteran’s family
Veteran John Ahben gives the Queen a traditional Fijian greeting during her visit today
Veteran John Ahben gives the Queen a traditional Fijian greeting during her visit today
The Queen met with facility workers and veterans today
The Queen met with facility workers and veterans today