The Duchess of Cornwall met children and young adults at Helen and Douglas House Hospice in Oxford today as she opened a new garden.

Helen House in Magdalen Street, East Oxford, which cares for children with life-limiting illnesses, is celebrating its 25th anniversary and the Duchess has become the charity's Royal Patron.

Dressed in a powder-blue suit, she was greeted by children, some of whom were able to show her around the anniversary garden.

This includes a new tree house with wheelchair ramp, a wheelchair roundabout and a number of features designed for those whose conditions result in sensory impairment.

After eight-year-old Aislinn Briggs, from Oxford, presented the Duchess with a posy of flowers, she met Alex King from Aylesbury and her sons Max, 10, Oliver, 11, and Jasper, 14.

Jasper is wheelchair-bound and receiving respite care for an undiagnosed condition.

Mrs King said: "It's lovely she has been able to come here and see the new garden.

"She said it was very relaxing.

"Every part of the garden is accessible for wheelchairs."

Clare Matthews, who designed the garden, said: "The idea is to make the garden as fun as possible for the children.

"The wheelchair roundabout is very popular."

The Duchess also met Tina Bough, from Haslemere, Surrey, whose daughter Jordi was receiving respite care for an undiagnosed disease of the central nervous system.

Mrs Bough, 42, said: "My son Jack, who also visited Helen House, was 12 when he died and he had a similar condition.

"It helps enormously to be able to come somewhere like this where staff can help evaluate your health concerns.

"It was nice to meet Camilla - she seems like a very caring person."

At Douglas House, which cares for young adults aged 16 to 40, the Duchess visited a bar and games room, where Christopher Horth 21, from Brackley, near Banbury, showed her how he plays pool - and then gave her a big hug.

Sister Frances Dominica, founder of Helen and Douglas House, said: "We are really delighted Her Royal Highness accepted our invitation to become our Royal Patron as we know she doesn't undertake such commitments lightly.

"Not only will her patronage help us to maintain awareness of the work that we do, but I'm sure her visits will be a source of enjoyment for our children, young people and families who have to cope with so much in their daily lives."

After unveiling a plaque to mark the opening of the garden, the Duchess invited the children and young people to tea at Clarence House.

It was the second Royal visit to the hospice in two months.

Last month, children and young adults welcomed the Emperor and Empress of Japan, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko.