QE Health in Rotorua hoping for a royal visit

QE Health CEO Andrina Romano is hoping to get a royal visit next month. Photo / Stephen Parker

A Rotorua wellness centre has a special message to the royals as they prepare their itinerary for next month's visit - please pop in and say hello.

QE Health Wellness & Spa has a strong royal connection and is hoping to host the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, when they visit New Zealand in late October.

Built during World War II as a convalescent hospital for returning soldiers, it has been visited by some famous names.

In the 1940s that included the first lady of the United States, Eleanor Roosevelt, one of the United Kingdom's most popular singers and later a dame, Gracie Fields, and Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery, commander of Allied ground forces during the D-Day invasion of France in June 1944.

In June 1948 the management of The Bath House was transferred from the Department of Tourist and Health Resorts to the hospital.

At the same time, the Ministry of Health decided to approach King George VI and Queen Elizabeth to name the hospital in honour of her.

QE Health chief executive Andrina Romano said the royal assent was received on December 30, 1948.

"The hospital started in 1949 as the Queen Elizabeth Hospital for Physical Disorders.

"Our history is a rich one, especially our relationship with the crown, and we've always celebrated our connection to our patron, including her 100th birthday in 2000."

Romano is now hoping the Queen Mother's great-grandson and his wife will visit QE Health when they are in Rotorua on October 31.

"The Duchess' mother is a yoga instructor and she's very mindful of her health, fitness and diet, all things that are a big part of our holistic approach," she said.

"Prince Harry served in Afghanistan and is involved in the Endeavour Fund which supports servicemen and women on 21 challenges, to lend a helping hand to sick and wounded troops."

The prince also helped establish the Invictus Games an international adaptive multi-sport event, in which wounded, injured or sick armed services personnel and their associated veterans take part in sports.

Rehabilitation and pain management at QE Health includes spa treatments along with physiotherapy, gym and fitness, occupational therapy and leisure activities, rheumatology and psychology.

"While we are now a rehabilitation and wellness centre, not a hospital, our underlying philosophy remains the same as when our building opened in 1942," Romano said.

"To care for the body, mind and spirit and help people rebuild confidence in themselves."