The Duchess of Edinburgh "absolutely loved" joining in an Elders' exercise class where she showed off her chair-based dance moves and "waved her pom-poms" to ABBA's 'Dancing Queen' during a visit to Battersea-based Katherine Low Settlement (KLS) today.
The charity, which helps reduce poverty and isolation in the South London community, is celebrating 100 years of "bringing the Battersea community together", having been opened by The Duchess of York (later the Queen Mother) in 1924.
The Duchess praised the hard work and passion of staff and volunteers while also thanking them for their service to the community.
Sophie, who is the King's sister-in-law, visited a sewing group to give women newly arrived in the UK language and practical skills to help with employment, as well as a 'Love to Learn' mentoring session for children and young people.
Duchess of Edinburgh shows off dance moves as she ‘waves pom-poms to ABBA’s Dancing Queen’
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Duchess of Edinburgh visited KLS
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An Elders' chair dance class proved too good an opportunity to miss for Her Royal Highness, who got stuck into the activities, which KLS put on regularly for older members of the community.
Sarah Gibb, Chief Executive of KLS told GB News: "She was immersed in there, waving her pom-poms to 'Dancing Queen' which she absolutely loved."
Despite the celebratory feel of the royal visit, the Katherine Low Settlement faces some difficult challenges, with waiting lists for every programme they offer.
The charity receives no central government funding but does receive some money from Wandsworth Council.
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Sophie arrives at KLS reception
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The charity receives no central government funding but does receive some money from Wandsworth Council.
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Councillor Juliana Annan, Mayor of Wandsworth, said KLS "is a very deserving charity which is at the heart of the community in Battersea helping the elderly, the young and their families, refugees and other local people who need assistance".
Most of Katherine Low Settlement's funds, however, come from charitable trusts, foundations and individual donors.
"There is lots of work to do", Chief Executive Sarah Gibb explained to GB News.
"It's a very old building which needs lots of love to keep it fit for purpose and make it more sustainable and safer."
The charity helps the elderly, the young, and refugees
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"Almost 4,000 people a year use these buildings. So the profile [the royal visit] will give us...perhaps people locally, who may have forgotten about KLS, will be reminded why we're here and that we need funding to keep on going for another 100 years."
The Duchess of Edinburgh met a number of members of the community during the visit, including 80-year-old friends Nadia and Edie. They first came to KLS in the 1950s as teenage members of the youth club, where they met their future husbands.
Their children were part of the playgroup in their early years and, upon retirement, Nadia and Edie have now returned to the same building to be part of the Elders' lunch club.
Nadia, who received an MBE from King Charles when he was The Prince of Wales, impressed the Duchess with her story.
The Duchess of Edinburgh met a number of members of the community during the visit
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Edie told The Duchess that KLS had been "a lifesaver" and helped the community support each other.
Sarah Rackham, who has been involved with the charity for 60 years, helped to "establish a relationship with the young people in the area so they respected the building and wanted to look after it".
Some 34 years ago, the Katherine Low Settlement became a target for vandalism and theft, but the work of youth workers and volunteers has helped to cement the charity in the minds of locals as "a place for them", according to Rackham.
She told GB News that the Duchess' visit today was an "absolute thrill" for people who have come especially today to meet her.
Sarah added: "To know that somebody like her in her position comes to respect what goes on here...I think she's really picked up on the vibe...You can tell she was enthusiastic.
"She was listening with genuine attention. It's been delightful.
"It's been really lovely that she could come and get this [centenary] year off to a really good start."
For more information about Katherine Low Settlement, visit: https://www.klsettlement.org.uk/
