His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester officially opens The Almshouse Associationā€™s new Windsor headquarters
His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester officially opened the new headquarters of The Almshouse Association at Leonard Hackett House in Windsor on Tuesday 20th October 2026. This prestigious visit represents a historic milestone for the Association, anchoring its future in a dedicated new home.
HRH The Duke of Gloucester arrives at our new offices
The Duke is greeted by the High Sheriff
CEO Nick Phillips shows the Duke the coat of arms
During the event, His Royal Highness was taken on a comprehensive tour of the office located at 17-21 Victoria Street. The Duke took time to meet and speak warmly with all staff members, as well as The Almshouse Association board members who attended this special occasion.
Meeting Head of Member Services, Julian Marczak and Angela Waters, Office Manager and PA to CEO
Meeting Ali Hinton Redford and Susan Broks, Member Services
With Fenella Hall, Grant and Loans Administrator, Jacqueline Smith, Finance Officer and Mike Drake, Head of Finance
Karen Morris, Marketing and Communication Manager takes the Duke through the history of The Almshouse Association
Meeting Alice Morrey, Policy, Planning and Engagement Manager and Siobhan Newman, Events.
Meeting Paul Mullis and Ed Christian, Association Board members
The visit also uniquely brought together representatives from several member charities. His Royal Highness met trustees and residents from local Windsor almshouses, including Ellison House Almshouses in Victoria Street and Penny Royal Almshouses in Old Windsor.
Following the tour, guests enjoyed a selection of refreshments, and the memorable day culminated in two special highlights: the cutting of a special anniversary cake and the unveiling of a commemorative plaque to formally mark the opening of the premises.
Meeting Mary Sibley and Jane Dawson from Old Windsor United Charites
Plaque unveiling
Cutting the cake
In a moving address, His Royal Highness expressed what a tremendous privilege it was to celebrate the official opening, a milestone made even more poignant as the Association commemorates its landmark 80th anniversary, noting that the event marks a significant new chapter not only for the Association but for the wider almshouse movement, emphasising that almshouses remain an exemplary model of community-led housing that are dynamically evolving to meet contemporary needs.
Nick Phillips, Chief Executive Officer of The Almshouse Association, commented:
“It was an absolute honour and a wonderful privilege to welcome His Royal Highness to officially open our new home here in Windsor. The Dukeā€™s presence made this an incredibly special and memorable day for our staff and trustees, as well as the local Windsor almshouse residents and trustees who joined our celebrations. His Royal Highness took the time to speak so warmly with everyone, leaving an enduring impression that our community will cherish for many years to come.”
Signing the visitors book
Ellison House Almshouses representatives
Meeting Trustee, Tricia Scouller
The Royal receiving party awaits the Duke’s arrival
Association team, Board and Guests
The Duke is gifted a commemorative 80th anniversary book by photographer Ed Richardson
photos by Richard Gray
posted 2 October 2026