When Focus foster carers met the King
Earlier this year, two of our retired Focus foster carers were invited to a very special event at Windsor Castle. Rosemary and John fostered with our agency right from when Focus Foster Care was first established in 2018. Before they joined us, Rosemary and John fostered for several other local authorities and independent agencies. During their fostering career, Rosemary and John looked after 119 children! Their fostering journey spans over four decades and we are so proud to have had them on our fostering team. So proud in fact, that our manager Emma secretly arranged for Rosemary and John to meet the King.
A Royal Celebration For Carers
We’ve never had any of our foster carers be recognised by royalty before so not only was this an exciting moment for Rosemary and John, it also meant a great deal to us as an agency.
We recently caught up with Rosemary to hear all about her trip to Windsor castle and she said it was a huge shock to receive the invite in the post. “I believe that Emma sent a recommendation for us to be invited. It was a reception for carers of all sorts: children that were carers, people that ran homes for the elderly and vulnerable adults, staff, foster carers. Everybody.”
Rosemary and John travelled from their home in The Midlands to Windsor Castle on February 11th 2026. The staff at the reception were all very caring and gave Rosemary the support she needed to get to the event safely. Despite only Rosemary’s name being on the invite, the palace were more than happy for John to come too, to support his wife and celebrate their fostering career together.
“The King didn’t do a speech but he gave a letter to everybody that was there, recognising everything we do as carers. After so many years, it was just nice to get that recognition.”
The reception lasted two hours and all attendees received drinks and canapes in the banquet hall. Both the King and Queen were in attendance, as well as celebrity carers including breakfast TV host Kate Garraway. While Rosemary and John didn’t meet the Queen, they did speak with the King.
“I said to the King, “I’m awfully sorry. I can’t get up and curtsy because I’ll fall on my face!’.” While there was no courtseying involved, Rosemary and John did shake hands with the King and enjoyed a brief conversation with his royal highness.
Rosemary described meeting the King as a surprise and an honour. We are so proud of Rosemary and John for everything they have done for children over the past forty plus years and we’re overjoyed that they were able to celebrate all their hard work with royalty at Windsor Castle.
Thank you Rosemary and John for all of the support you have given to children, young people and your fellow foster carers over the years. You’ve changed over 100 lives for the better and you deserve a very happy retirement.
Join The Focus Family
Rosemary and John fostered with Focus Foster Care for several years, after fostering for various other councils and agencies over the decades. We asked Rosemary what sets Focus apart from local authorities and other fostering agencies, and this is what she had to say:
“I think it’s very important that anybody about to start fostering or transfer, knows that they have the backup from Focus, they have the support. If you’ve got younger children that are still at home, Focus supports them as well. There’s also a community amongst the foster carers and we’re all encouraged to encourage each other. A lot of the time, especially with the authorities, we felt like a number, not a person and there wasn’t the same level of support. I would always, always recommend focus. And I’m not just saying that. I just would.”
Focus Foster Care is an Ofsted rated Good agency, supporting children and young people throughout The Midlands. We are currently recruiting new and experienced foster carers and would love to hear from you. Get in touch with our friendly team today to learn more about fostering with us.
