The passing of our patron, Queen Elizabeth II

It is with great sadness that Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children (GOSH) has heard about the death of the hospital’s patron, Queen Elizabeth II.

The Queen had a long history with GOSH, visiting the hospital in 1952 during the hospital centenary celebrations and again in 2002 to mark its 150th birthday in the year of her Golden Jubilee.

She became Patron for the hospital in 1965, officially opening the first purpose-built building for the Institute of Child Health the following year and visiting again in 1977.

During her reign she attended two cultural events which fundraised for the Hospital, a Christmas performance of ‘Peter Pan’ at the Barbican in 1982 and the memorial concert for Diana, Princess of Wales in December 1997.

It was in her role as patron she sent a letter of thanks to charitable supporters of GOSH following The Independent and London Evening Standard’s Give to GOSH appeal, in 2015 which raised over £3 million.

The letter, signed by 'Elizabeth R', said, "As one of the world's leading children's hospitals, Great Ormond Street offers a beacon of hope to thousands of children from across the U.K. and beyond every year."

The Queen signed off by giving her best wishes “to all the patients, families and staff at Great Ormond Street”.

The staff and patients of GOSH send their deepest condolences to all her family at this extremely sad time.