​Yesterday, I spent the evening drinking champagne and eating the most delicious canapés in the great hall of St James’s Palace. Not a bad way to spend a Thursday evening!

The event was The British School of Osteopathy’s centenary celebration. HRH Princess Anne was there in her role as Patron of the School. This was actually my second meeting with Princess Anne. My first encounter was on graduating as an osteopath, when she presented me with an award for achieving the highest degree in my year.

I was impressed with Princess Anne’s speech. It revealed a deep understanding and strong advocacy of what osteopaths are trying to achieve. In particular, their patient-centred approach to alleviating pain. She spoke about the profession’s development and growth over the past 100 years; where historically osteopaths were largely perceived as ‘quacks’ they have moved on to become highly respected, regulated and recognised health practitioners.

She emphasised the importance that osteopaths place on treating the individual: an ethos at the very heart of our treatment approach.

And then there was the palace itself. What struck me most, aside from the copious amount of gold gilt, was the ceiling height which must have been at least 6 metres high. Having also visited the royal lavatories, I can also confirm (contrary to my childhood belief) the royals do not use velvet instead of toilet roll!

All in all I had a wonderful evening, catching up with respected colleagues and previous tutors, and came away feeling thoroughly proud to call myself an osteopath.

NB: Photos taken in St James’s Palace are credited to The British School of Osteopathy.

Emma Lipson is Principal Osteopath at Feel Better Osteopathy in Warwick, Warwickshire.