Queen Camilla has opened a “beautiful” new cancer centre designed by a world-renowned architect.

The new centre for cancer charity Maggie’s at the Royal Free Hospital is expected to receive more than 10,000 visits each year from cancer patients and their families.

Her Majesty the Queen’s visit at the end of last month came a week before her husband, King Charles, went public with his own cancer diagnosis.

Camilla met four people who are living with cancer at the opening, including Katie Georgiou, who was diagnosed with classical Hodgkin lymphoma in April 2022.

Katie said it was an honour to speak with the Queen, adding: “In Maggie’s, I can come in and express my true self without feeling guilty or hiding anything – I don’t have to wear my wig.

“Finding Maggie’s is like finding a new friendship that makes you into a new person because it opens new doors inside of you.

“To now have this amazing centre to come makes a huge difference in contrast to the clinical surroundings of the hospital.”

The building designed by architect Daniel Libeskind, whose other works include the Jewish Museum in Berlin

The centre is split over three floors and has nine rooms including a kitchen, library, counselling room and a large multipurpose room for group and exercise sessions.

It is open Monday to Friday, 9am until 5pm, for free cancer support. Referrals are not needed.