The Queen hailed a “wonderful” new rooftop hospital garden as she officially opened the resortive space for patients, families and NHS staff this afternoon. Camilla marvelled at the new outdoor ward at St George’s Hospital, complete with trees, shrubs and flowers and plenty of places to sit, saying: “Stepping out here in the fresh air, I’m sure all the patients here will get all the benefits.”

They clapped and cheered, with many filming on their phones, with the Queen stopping to speak to many of them before heading outside to the Neuro Intensive Care Unit’s balcony garden. Outside, the Queen was introduced to Catherine Oppong-Barbo, one of St George’s own brain surgery nurses, who is currently being treated in the ward she usually works in after suffering a brain haemorrhage two weeks ago.

Camilla was shocked to hear this, telling her, “Oh my goodness, I hope they are looking after you”, adding, “You can see how it feels as a patient now.”

Ms Oppong-Barbo, who has worked as a neurosurgery nurse at St George’s Hospital since 2017, told the Queen: “The balcony is a haven for patients and their families - it’s a space to connect while recovering.”

She said afterwards: “The balcony is a connection to the outside world after being beside lots of machines in intensive care, it makes it feel like I can breathe freely again."

The Queen also met Joseph Kennedy, 63, who has been in the ward for 12 weeks and told her that being able to use the balcony “is a lifeline”. “It must be so lovely to be able to get outside and get some fresh air,” she said. “It must make a big difference.”

Daisy Papel, the neurointensive care unit ward matron, told her: “It’s just like an escape from inside the unit.”

The matron, who has worked at the hospital for 24 years, explained how the purpose-built green space offers patients with complex brain injury, tumours or stroke – and their families – access to fresh air, natural light and the outside world while remaining safely within the hospital's expert clinical care.

The garden was created through a partnership between the John King Brain Tumour Foundation and St George’s Hospital Charity, transforming a previously unused space into an accessible roof garden, directly connected to the intensive care unit.

For many critically ill patients, this was previously out of reach.

Though the space officially opened today, patients started using the garden three weeks ago, with many spending up to an hour in the tranquil rooftop oasis.

The garden honours the life of John King, an internationally respected chef who was cared for by the team at St George’s after being diagnosed with a glioblastoma brain tumour in 2015.

Having spoken to some of the ward’s patients, the Queen walked around the garden chatting to charity trustees and other healthcare professionals, hailing it as “a beautiful place” that enables patients to stay in touch with the outside world.

In a short speech, Laura King, founder of the John King Brain Tumour Foundation, told attendees about the importance of the garden following her husband’s passing in November 2016 after being treated at St George’s.

She explained that having the garden is not just for the patients but also for their families.

“The whole thing is really important,” she said afterwards. “Not just for patients, but for their families and for staff. Being with a loved one who is in intensive care is terrifying. The fact that they have now got somewhere to go provides an escape.”

Having been presented with a bouquet of flowers and two clay statues of her dog, Moley, and her late dog, Bluebell, the Queen was then invited to unveil a plaque marking the visit. Patting the gold plaque after revealing it to guests, Camilla then said a few words to the dozens gathered outside.”

“Many congratulations to everybody who has been involved,” she said. “I can see the difference it makes just stepping out in the fresh air. I’m sure all the patients here are going to benefit enormously from this. So, I think you've done a wonderful job…I am thrilled to be here to be able to open it.”

The Queen then privately walked through the intensive care ward before leaving the hospital.