A Memorable Evening at Windsor Castle: Recognising Carers

On 11 February 2026, a Reception was held at Windsor Castle, hosted by Their Majesties The King and Queen, to recognise and celebrate carers from across the United Kingdom. Fiona Rogers – Queen’s Nurse, Carers Champion and Nursing Programmes Manager at the QICN – was selected to attend in recognition of her work supporting and advocating for carers. She was joined by three fellow Queen’s Nurses: Andrea Spratling, School Nurse Practice Teacher, Fawn Bess-Leith, Specialist Health Visitor and Leanne Leverton, Senior Lecturer in Health and Social Care.

Fiona shares her reflections on this memorable evening below.

“What a magical evening it was to attend a reception recognising unpaid carers – and to meet His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen for a cause so close to my heart, both personally and professionally.

Being nominated to attend as Carer Champion at the QICN was an absolute honour. I felt such pride when the invitation envelope, bearing the Royal Crest, dropped through the letterbox.

My role as Carers Champion includes advocacy, influencing policy and showcasing the work of our Queen’s Nurse community. I was proud to attend alongside Andrea, Fawn and Leanne – Queen’s Nurses who make a real difference to unpaid carers, including young carers, through their daily work in the community.

Our WhatsApp group came alive on the morning of the Reception after I shared a short video of the castle from a recce visit. Suddenly, it all felt very real. The morning in Windsor was still and grey, but we knew later there would be a real sense of excitement and buzz in the air.

As we walked towards the Reception, the castle stood in breath-taking grandeur – a fitting setting to recognise unpaid carers. We all felt so proud entering through those historic doors, swept up in a communal spirit, privileged to have this opportunity.

Inside was beautiful, everyone welcome and warm. Before long, Their Majesties The King and Queen, the Prime Minister and other dignitaries joined the room. We had been advised that we would meet The Queen in her role as Patron of QICN, and we waited with anticipation. Wearing our Queen’s Nurse badges with pride, we were delighted to shake her hand and speak with her about the role of community nurses. She noticed our brooch and commented on it, leading naturally into conversation about community nursing.

King Charles was also circulating, and we were soon in conversation with him. He was keen to hear about our roles and spoke warmly about the extraordinary contribution and sacrifice of unpaid carers.

We were grateful for the opportunity to advocate for community nursing and the needs of unpaid carers. We also met Duncan Burton, Chief Nurse for England, who was keen to hear our views. We felt genuinely listened to as we shared both our work and some of the challenges faced by carers and community nurses.

A highlight for me was meeting Liz* (name changed), an unpaid carer for her wife and daughter. She told me she felt “recognised” simply by being there, as she so often feels “invisible and unheard.”

Throughout the evening, delicious canapés and drinks were served as young carers waited excitedly for their moment to meet The King and Queen. It was wonderful to see so many carers of all ages being recognised and having their voices heard.

The atmosphere was warm, appreciative and full of gratitude – a collective acknowledgement of the immense contribution of unpaid carers across the UK. A feeling too that there is a real collective energy and commitment to make a difference to the hundreds and thousands of carers in the UK.

It was a truly special experience and one I will never forget.