20 October 2025
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal has marked the 70th anniversary of a supported living estate for Derby’s retired retail workers that was first opened by her mother, The late Queen, in the 1950s.
The Princess Royal, who became Patron of the retail industry charity Retail Trust earlier this year, met with residents of its Leylands Estate in Derby and learned more about the Retail Trust’s work to support retail workers throughout their working lives and beyond.
Among those to meet Her Royal Highness was 101-year-old resident and former department store worker Freda Carey and Jean Cudworth, who moved onto the estate this year following a more than 40-year retail career, including three decades in Derby market.
The Leylands Estate is one of five supported living estates run by the Retail Trust for people retired from the retail industry, or who are in the care of someone working in or retired from the sector. The charity also works with more than 200 retailers to protect their staff’s wellbeing, and representatives from New Look, B&Q, NEXT and FatFace also met The Princess Royal as she toured the estate before unveiling a plaque commemorating the visit.
Jean Cudworth welcomed The Princess Royal into her home. Jean said: “She had a good look around, and loved it. I showed her my artwork, which is my hobby, so we were talking artwork, arts and crafts, all sorts of things. She lovely, and very down to earth.”
Her Royal Highness has taken over Patronage of the Retail Trust from her mother The late Queen Elizabeth II, who became the Retail Trust’s Patron in 1948 and continued to support the charity throughout her subsequent 70-year reign as monarch. The Queen was first shown plans of the Leylands Estate in 1951 before officially opening it later that decade.
Chris Brook-Carter, chief executive of the Retail Trust said: “It was an honour to welcome The Princess Royal to commemorate this very special event, at the supported living estate her mother The late Queen opened and visited during her 74-year Royal Patronage of the Retail Trust.
“Having Royal Patronage sends out a message that retail is an industry that matters and that in our charity, there is somewhere people can turn to in times of need. The Princess Royal’s visit comes at a crucial time for the Retail Trust, as we look at new tools and support to help those in retail live happier and healthier lives during their working years and beyond, and we look forward to further engaging our Patron with this work.”
Other supported living estates run by the Retail Trust include the Marshall Estate in London and the Hugh Fraser Retirement Estate in Glasgow, which earlier this year opened a new community hub for local people, following a £1 million renovation.
The Retail Trust was named ‘Best Owner’ of a retirement housing project in October’s Retirement Living Awards.
