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PA Media Geri Halliwell-Horner, the Queen and Maggie's chief executive Dame Laura Lee stand in a wood panelled booth. Horner-Halliwell wears a beige suit with a white turtle neck, the Queen wears a blue tweed suit with black colour and cuffs, Dame Laura is wearing a purple jacket and dark trousers. PA Media

Geri Halliwell-Horner, left, and the Queen met Maggie’s chief executive Dame Laura Lee

The Queen was joined by former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell-Horner on a visit to a cancer charity she has supported for the past 18 years.

Queen Camilla went to Maggie’s centre in Cheltenham on Wednesday, to mark the organisation’s 30th anniversary.

Halliwell-Horner, who had her own breast cancer scare as a teenager, is also a supporter of the charity.

In a speech, Queen Camilla praised the charity’s founder Maggie Keswick Jencks, who passed away from cancer in 1995, for her vision for better cancer care.

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Maggie’s offers care for people impacted by cancer, including free psychological, emotional and practical support.

The Queen has been its president since 2008.

“(Keswick Jencks) was convinced that people living with cancer crave a beautiful, comforting environment as they face the unknown,” she said.

“A place were they needn’t pretend to be fine, where they can receive expert support, sympathy and a a good cup of tea.

“A place where laughter can come as naturally as tears because sometimes that’s what’s wanted.”

PA Media A portrait of Queen Camilla. She is sitting at a desk with a pile of books in front of her. There is a jar of pens and a tankard. She is wearing a blue stripy shirt and blue sweater. There is a book shelf in the background. PA Media

The Queen unveiled a portrait of herself by artist Eileen Hogan

During the visit, Queen Camilla joined a reception of about 50 guests comprising of staff, supporters and those who have benefitted from the charity.

She described the centre as a “life-changing place” and joined Halliwell-Horner for a cup of tea with cancer patients who have been supported by Maggie’s,

Caitlyn Warrington, 23, from near Cheltenham, said she was first diagnosed with a rare ovarian cancer at the age of 14, before relapsing aged 16 and 18.

Caitlyn Warrington looks at the camera. She is in her early 20s and has shoulder length blonde hair. She is standing in a wood panelled toom with shelves holding ornaments in the background.

Caitlyn Warrington said the Queen’s visit “means a lot”

Warrington paid tribute to the Queen for visiting Maggie’s, saying: “I think raising awareness as well as having someone like that show support means a lot.”

Halliwell-Horner, who had to have a lump removed from her breast aged 18, described living with the fear of cancer returning as “like a guillotine hanging over you”.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Queen visited Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Services to hear about its work supporting people across the county experiencing domestic abuse.