Kate visits children’s hospice as she is named patron, following in Diana’s footsteps

The Princess of Wales has been playing with children at a hospice where she has just been named patron.

In a surprise solo engagement, Kate visited Ty Hafan Children’s Hospice, near Cardiff, where she spent time with children, families and staff.

She has followed in the footsteps of Princess Diana and the King in becoming the institution’s figurehead.

The trip is her second engagement this week after she continues to make a phased return to royal duties after she confirmed earlier this month she is now in remission from cancer.

Irfon Rees, chief executive of Ty Hafan, said: “We are deeply honoured that Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales has become patron of Ty Hafan and it was an absolute pleasure to welcome Her Royal Highness to our hospice for the first time today.

“As our patron, Her Royal Highness will be an inspiration for children with life-shortening conditions and their families, our dedicated staff and volunteers and everyone who so generously supports us.”

Kate displayed her commitment to the welfare of children

You couldn’t get a more emotional visit, as it feels like the Princess is getting back to what you could call a bit of normality.

This was her first “away day” as they sometimes call it, since 2023 and her first public engagement in Wales since October 2023, so she wanted it to be a special one, choosing Ty Hafan, or Haven House in english, a hospice charity that helps around 400 families.

Crouching down to meet the amazing children who live with life limiting conditions and their parents, she stayed cheerful, asked lots of questions, this was about building new relationships as it was announced that she was now going to be their new patron.

In the garden she was shown the stones placed for children who have died, but also importantly made happy memories here. Kate’s already said she wants to help breakdown some of the perceptions about hospices and show they can be a place of joy and solace.

The Chief Executive of Ty Hafan told me her backing couldn’t be more welcome at a time when the hospice sector is crying out for support.

She follows the King and Princess Diana in taking on the role of patron. But this was about more than that. After a year of very few engagements due to her cancer diagnosis, this was a very public reminder of her genuine and heartfelt commitment to getting more support for children and families as she continues her gradual return to work.

The Princess of Wales was seen talking and playing with different children, and had her hand painted by 9-year-old Lottie, whose sibling is being treated at the hospice.

Ty Hafan was founded in 1999 by Suzanne Goodall, after a fundraising campaign lasting more than a decade, when she discovered there wasn’t a children’s hospice in Wales.

Diana was patron during the fundraising phase, and the King took on the role in 2001.

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