Royal visitor slices cake

Her Royal Highness is patron of the charity RSAS AgeCare, which runs Dorset House in Blackfriars Road.

The residential home recently opened a new wing, creating 12 more bedrooms and a new lounge area.

Yesterday, several elderly residents presented the Duchess with a book of memories from the 20th Century written by themselves and others at homes operated by the charity.

One resident said she was surprised to be asked, but enjoyed recounting her memories.

"I've had a lot of experiences over the years, but I wrote about the Good Neighbour scheme, of which I have fond memories," said Freda Lowndes, who is aged 92.

"It was a good service for everyone and every week the Evening News would print what we needed."

Mrs Lowndes, who lived in St Swithun's Close, said she thought the new wing was "lovely", but wished the Duchess would speak up.

"I couldn't hear what she said. I just said 'Thank you'. She speaks very quietly," added Mrs Lownes.

"She had a nice firm handshake. I suppose she's shaken hundreds of hands today."

The Duchess, who wore a cream and brown suit, arrived at the home to be met by Sir Geoffrey Dear, the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Worcestershire.

Sir Geoffrey introduced her to Linda Hone, the High Sheriff, Councillor David Folkes, chairman of Wychavon District Council and Coun Don Lawley, the Mayor of Droitwich.

Following a tour of the new wing, which cost nearly £1m, the Duchess officially opened the building.

"It's a real pleasure to be back after a gap of five years on this happy day of celebration," she said.

"I greatly enjoyed my tour of the new wing where I had the opportunity to meet every resident and see how the space is being used."

The Duchess called upon the services of one of the home's cooks to help with the slicing of the cake, which took a month to make.

"She just asked me to cut the cake, she wanted to know if I was going to slice the rest of it later," said Mary Jones.