The King visits North Yorkshire

In Yorkshire, The King visited a conservation initiative developed by the Animal Plant and Health Agency, to humanely control grey squirrel numbers and support the endangered red squirrel population in the UK. 

The red squirrel is now an endangered species in Britain, despite being the country’s only native squirrel breed, due to a range of factors including competition and habitat loss. 

At the APHA site, The King met scientists and researchers involved in a new project to create a targeted method delivering oral contraceptives to grey squirrels through a bespoke feeding programme, as part of efforts to slow the rate of the species’ population growth and help red squirrels to thrive. 

His Majesty heard about the development of specialist feeding devices, based on extensive field research to ensure the project’s impacts are humane and effectively targeted.

The King, as Patron of Macmillan Cancer Support, then visited the site of the newly redeveloped Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Cancer Centre in York Hospital, where His Majesty met staff and patients who have worked on the project.

Macmillan centres are based in hospitals and communities across the UK, to provide information and support to people in their cancer experience, whether they are patients, family or friends. 

The King, who has been Patron of Macmillan Cancer Support since 1997, visited one of the centres nearing completion following extensive expansion refurbishment at York Hospital. 

Joined by Ms Clare Smith, Chief Executive of York Hospital, and Ms Gemma Peters, Chief Executive of Macmillan Cancer Support, His Majesty visited the new centre’s garden, which has been created as a calm environment where visitors can enjoy nature while at the centre. 

Over 70 local people with experience of cancer have fed into the designs, from the layout of spaces to the furniture and colour scheme and the services on offer.

His Majesty met the centre’s designer and spoke to patients involved in the process, viewing some of the artwork they have selected for display in the finished centre. 

The King planted a Macmillan Rose for the Cancer Centre Garden, before bidding farewell to patients, staff and Macmillan nurses gathered in the hospital.