The Princess of Wales paid tribute to father-in-law King Charles as she officially took over his patronage of a children’s hospice in South Wales this morning.
On Thursday, Kate, 43, marked her first royal ‘away day’ since 2023 with a visit to children’s hospice Tŷ Hafan in Sully, near Cardiff, as the royal continues her return to public life after completing treatment for cancer.
To coincide with her arrival, Kensington Palace announced that the princess has today become Patron of the hospice – with Kate following in the footsteps of Charles and her husband’s last mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.
In a sweet moment, the princess replicated an artwork that Charles created during his visit to the hospice in 2018 as she honoured the monarch’s time as patron of the organisation.
Like Charles, Kate made a handprint using paint before signing the piece of paper with ‘Catherine’.
While Charles, then Prince of Wales, used lilac paint to create his masterpiece, Kate made her artwork with the help of a young girl who painted her palm bright red.
The Princess of Wales paid tribute to father-in-law King Charles as she officially took over his patronage of a children’s hospital in South Wales this morning
Kensington Palace on Thursday announced Kate has become a patron of children’s hospice Tŷ Hafan, following in the footsteps of King Charles – who had held the Patronage since 2001 – and Diana, the Princess of Wales
In a sweet moment, the princess replicated an artwork that Charles created during his visit to the hospice in 2018 as she honoured the monarch’s time as patron of the organisation
The artwork has become emblematic of the Princess of Wales ‘proud moment’ taking over from Charles, who was patron of the hospice from 2001, as she returns to duty after completing a preventative course of chemotherapy last September.
Commenting on Kensington Palace’s announcement of the patronage, she wrote: ‘A proud moment becoming Patron of Tŷ Hafan.
‘Opening in 1999 as Wales’ first children’s hospice, Tŷ Hafan continues to provide specialist care to children with life-shortening conditions, offering vital support to them and their families, throughout life, at end of life, and beyond.’
The Princess’ visit to South Wales today is the first time she has visited the nation since undergoing her treatment and recovery. Her last engagements there were with her husband in October 2023.
Tŷ Hafan was the first children’s hospice in Wales when it opened in 1999 and provides free care and support both within the hospice itself and in homes and communities.
The charity’s ambition is that no family should have to experience their child’s short life alone, with staff ‘walking alongside’ every family who needs their support – through life, death and beyond.
Holistic care, something that interests Catherine hugely, is a huge part of its ethos, focusing on the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of the children in its care.
Irfon Rees, Chief Executive of Tŷ Hafan – which translates from Welsh to ‘Haven House’ in English – said: ‘We are deeply honoured that Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales has become Patron of Tŷ Hafan and it was an absolute pleasure to welcome Her Royal Highness to our hospice for the first time today.
The Princess of Wales today arrived for her first royal ‘away day’ since 2023 – as she continues her slow and gradual return to public duties
Kate gets crafty! The Princess made art with her hands with the help of a young girl who painted her palm bright red
Kate got crafty on the solo visit, helping children with their art by painting their hands and appearing thoroughly in her element
‘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.
‘No parent ever imagines that their child’s life will be short. Sadly this is the reality facing thousands of families in Wales. We can’t stop this happening, but together we can make sure that no one lives their child’s short life alone.’
The wellbeing of children and their families has always been close to The Princess’ heart, a palace aide said.
The first patronage Her Royal Highness took on when she became a Member of The Royal Family was EACH (East Anglia’s Children’s Hospice) and she maintains a close relationship with the organisation to this day.
The Princess is looking forward to building a similar relationship with Tŷ Hafan and the children and families it serves in Wales, they added.
Although it has been a comparatively busy week for The Princess – with the Holocaust Memorial Day Service on Monday followed by the two engagements in Wales today – sources close to the princess are keen to stress that it remains part of a gradual, phased return to work.
Aides say the engagements this week are not a ‘template’ for the next few months and she is not ‘fully back to work’ yet. Her diary will, it is said, vary from week to week.
However ‘she is very much looking forward to being in Wales today and to be focussing on two themes which are close to her heart,’ sources stressed.
