Kate Middleton Shares New Message After Dropping Out of Royal Ascot Appearance
Kate Middleton has written a poignant message to children's hospices, saying it was an "immense privilege" to see their work
The Princess of Wales, 43, praised them for lifting the spirits of children and families "through life, death and beyond"
Her June 20 message, as Children's Hospice Week draws to an end, came six months after she took on the role of patron to a hospice in South WalesKate Middleton is showing her support for kids' hospices in a poignant week.
In a new message issued on Friday, June 20, the Princess of Wales praised how hospices 'lift the spirits' and support seriously ill children and their families through 'life, death and beyond.'
She said it was an 'immense privilege' seeing the work up close of two hospices, with East Anglia's Children's Hospices and Tŷ Hafan Children's Hospice, during her visits as their patron.
It came in a week when Princess Kate, 43, dropped out of an expected visit to the Royal Ascot race meeting on Wednesday. Kate is still managing her return to public-facing duties amid her recovery from cancer treatment.
In her message on June 20, Kate wrote, 'No parent expects to hear that their child has a serious health condition that could shorten their life. Sadly, this is the reality faced by thousands of families across the country, leaving them heartbroken, fearful of the future and often desperately isolated."
'Being able to access the support of one of the U.K.'s 54 children's hospices means they don't have to face that future alone," she added.
'As Patron of East Anglia's Children's Hospices and Tŷ Hafan Children's Hospice in South Wales, I have the immense privilege of seeing for myself the extraordinary work of our children's hospices," she said. "Lifting spirits through laughter, fun and play, as well as listening, holding, caring and sharing, they support children and families through life, death and beyond."
"This Children's Hospice Week, I hope you will join me in celebrating the life-changing work they do and thanking them for the vital care they provide to children and families experiencing the most challenging times," Kate concluded.
Support for children's hospices has been an ever-present part of Princess Kate's public work since she started in public life soon after marrying Prince William in 2011. She has also visited hospices around the world during her overseas tours.
During Children's Hospice Week, which ends on June 22, the charity Together for Short Lives brings together the vital services to celebrate the incredible work they do for seriously ill children and their families.
Kate made her first visit to Tŷ Hafan in January, spending more time than she was scheduled, crouching down, talking to youngsters and their families and joining in with the games. Tŷ Hafan — which means "Haven House" in Welsh — is located in Sully, South Wales, and was built with the support of Prince William's late mother, Princess Diana.
Tracy Jones, the director of family well-being services who showed Kate around, said on the day of the visit in January, 'She immediately gravitated to the children and families — she spent quality time talking to every child and their parents.'
'It's been the most inspiring visit,' Jones added. 'She crouched down and was straightaway on the level of the children. If they were in a wheelchair, she crouched at that level. If they were on the floor, she would be at the level,' she continues. 'We were seriously impressed with how she could stay in a crouch, as it's not that comfortable!"
"She instinctively seemed to know where to touch a child that was going to provide the connection, but not cause any distress or startle a child. She was looking at the children, even if she was talking to the parent. It's what we do, as we're used to working with children who are nonverbal," she added.
Nick Carroll, CEO of Together for Short Lives, praised Kate's "ongoing support for Children's Hospice Week over many years [that] has helped to raise much-needed awareness of the life-changing work children's hospices do, every day of the year."
"Their extraordinary lifeline care for children with life-limiting and life-threatening illnesses enables families to make the most of their lives together, whether that's for years, months or only hours," he said. 'Together with all the children's hospices, we thank the Princess of Wales for her invaluable contribution.'
Irfon Rees, Chief Executive of Tŷ Hafan Children's Hospice, said in a statement on June 20, 'Her Royal Highness is clearly profoundly committed to the needs of children and young people, and in January, during her first visit to our hospice as our patron, her kindness and empathy were evident."
'Having HRH's support during Children's Hospice Week means that not only can we take time to celebrate the difference that children's hospices, including Tŷ Hafan, have made to the lives of so many families, but that we can also remind people of the importance of supporting their local children's hospice so that no family has to live their child's short life alone.'
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Kevin Clements, Chief Executive of EACH, based in the area close to the Wales family's country home, Anmer Hall, in Norfolk, added, 'We're so incredibly grateful for The Princess' invaluable contribution as our dedicated Royal Patron. Her ongoing support and vast profile have projected our charity onto the global stage, and this latest message is a perfect way to mark Children's Hospice Week."
'It's a great opportunity to shine a light on the work of children's hospices generally, as well as giving us an opportunity to raise awareness and remind everyone of the need for public support, given we rely on donations for the majority of our income.'
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