Queen Opens New Housing Development For Veterans

Her Majesty The Queen has visited a housing trust in south London to open nearly 70 new homes designed for military veterans. 

In her first public visit since returning from Balmoral, the Queen visited the Haig Housing Trust in Morden.

Her Majesty was invited by the Trust to see the new, affordable properties and meet some of those who now call it 'home'.

Brigadier James Richardson, the Trust's chief executive, said her visit was "so special".

Sixty-eight new homes have been built on the site in south London.

New resident and former Grenadier Guard Michael Bowman welcomed the Queen into his new home - he described it as a "surreal moment". 

"You've seen the Queen all the time on the telly and then the next minute she's in your front room, talking away to my family and my wife," he said.

"We moved in last Wednesday, so it's been a bit of a rush, getting the curtains up and putting things out of sight and out of mind.

"But amazing - beautiful property and we are so lucky." 

Her Majesty was in high spirits during the visit, even having a joke with Harry, the son of Invictus Games medallist Dan Phillips. 

Harry told the Queen he had "a boxing fight" with the Duke of Sussex to which she replied: "It might have been rather unfair!"

Her Majesty has acted as the Trust's patron since being crowned Queen in 1953.

The Trust named one block 'Queen Elizabeth Terrace' in honour of her dedication. 

The daughter of former Gurkha Udaya Gurung was chosen to help mark the official opening of the terrace alongside Her Majesty. 

Mr Gurung said: "We are all delighted, excited.

"Obviously the photographers have taken lots of photos, definitely we will get a hold of some of those photos and some of the photos will go on the wall!

"For my little girl, mainly, this is going to be a long-time memory."