The Princess of Wales has released a personal message about a cause close to her heart after pulling out of Royal Ascot earlier this week.
Kate, 43, today issued a heartfelt note to mark Children’s Hospice Week after deciding not to join her husband Prince William at the Berkshire races as expected on Wednesday.
She was said to be ‘disappointed’ at not attending the famous social and sporting occasion with her husband Prince William and the King and Queen.
Today, the Princess released a personal message celebrating the ‘life-changing work’ children’s hospices do and thanking them for the vital care they provide to ‘children and families experiencing the most challenging times’.
The princess has been Royal Patron of East Anglia Children’s Hospices (EACH) since 2012, and in January this year became the Royal Patron of Tŷ Hafan Children’s Hospice in South Wales.
The highly emotional note, which was signed by the princess, was shared on social media by Tŷ Hafan and children’s hospice charity Together for Short Lives, the charity for children’s palliative care.
Kate said: ‘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 heart-broken, fearful of the future and often desperately isolated.
‘Being able to access the support of one of the UK’s 54 children’s hospices means they don’t have to face that future alone.’
The mother-of-three had visited the hospice in January – marking her first royal ‘away day’ since 2023 as part of her slow and steady return to royal duties following her treatment for cancer.
In her note today, 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.
‘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.’
Nick Carroll, CEO of Together for Short Lives, said: ‘We are incredibly grateful to The Princess of Wales for celebrating Children’s Hospice Week, and the amazing work of children’s hospices, with her personal message of support this year.
‘Her ongoing support for Children’s Hospice Week over many years 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.
‘Together with all the children’s hospices we thank The Princess of Wales for her invaluable contribution.’
Children’s Hospice Week is the only week of the year dedicated to raising awareness of children’s hospice services, and this year runs until Sunday, June 22.
Earlier this week, the Princess of Wales pulled out of attending Royal Ascot at the last minute as she continues to ‘find the right balance’ following her battle with cancer.
Racegoers had been hoping to see the Princess after the Prince of Wales was named as one of the figures awarding race prizes during the second day of the meet.
Ascot officials had confirmed at 12pm that the Princess was due to be in the second carriage in the royal procession with William, in a published carriage list.
But less than half an hour later, Kensington Palace confirmed just before 12.30pm that Kate would not be attending – and a revised carriage list was published by Ascot.
MailOnline understands the Princess was ‘disappointed’ not to be in attendance ‘but she has to find the right balance as she fully returns to public facing engagements’.
However, Kate’s mother Carole Middleton did attend Ascot, wearing a dress from luxury women’s designer ME+EM – alongside her daughter-in-law Alizee Thevenet, the wife of Kate’s brother James Middleton.
The 43-year-old Princess has been making a gradual return to public duties since it was announced in January that she was in remission from cancer.
But in the past week she has attended three high-profile events – Trooping the Colour, the annual Order of the Garter service and a visit to a V&A storage facility in London.
The Princess revealed in January she was in remission from cancer after making an emotional return to the specialist cancer institution, the Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea, London, where she was treated to comfort fellow patients.
She had been receiving chemotherapy for an undisclosed form of cancer since late February last year with the King beginning his cancer care earlier that month following his diagnosis after treatment for an enlarged prostate.
Announcing in September her treatment had ended, Kate described in an emotional video message how the previous nine months had been ‘incredibly tough for us as a family’ and ‘doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus’.
William later said in a separate interview how 2024 had been ‘brutal’.
Today, Irfon Rees, Chief Executive of Tŷ Hafan Children’s Hospice said: ‘We are deeply grateful to The Princess of Wales, Patron of Tŷ Hafan Children’s Hospice, for her incredible support.
‘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.’
Kevin Clements, Chief Executive of EACH 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.’
In January, Kate ‘proudly’ announced her new patronage on a visit to south Wales.
Arriving at children’s hospice Tŷ Hafan. Catherine, 43, donned a checked dress from Zara with pussybow detailing and wore her hair in loose waves hanging down her shoulders, before being greeted by a member of staff.
It wasn’t long before the princess got stuck in to the visit, as she made a beeline for adorable children who visit the hospice who were using the soft play area.
She took part in a musical session with children suffering from life-limiting conditions and even had her hand painted red to leave a permanent memory of her visit – just as King Charles had done years previously.
Speaking to a young girl, she asked: ‘What do you like doing when you’re here?’ before she replied to explain she enjoyed music.
Kate then asked: ‘Have you played any of the instruments?’ and picked up a rattle before giving it a little shake. The little girl erupted in giggles and went on to demonstrate her percussion playing on a xylophone.
She was overheard discussing ‘challenging’ times for families as she spoke with parents whose children have received care from the hospice.
A source told the Mail at the time: ‘When she became the Princess of Wales she and her husband vowed to celebrate and service the dynamic nation that Wales is today.
‘I think the Princess choosing a visit to Wales for her second solo engagement of 2025 signals the importance that she places on Wales and the love that she has for the nation and its people.’
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 at the time: ‘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.
‘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.
As Prince of Wales, King Charles was patron of Tŷ Hafan from 2001.
The position was previously held by Diana, Princess of Wales while the charity was in its fundraising stage.
Commenting on her patronage on the Kensington Palace X/Twitter account, the Princess said: ‘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 had so far this week undertaken a busy schedule of engagements, attending the busy annual Trooping The Colour on Saturday, and the Order of the Garter service on Monday.
At Saturday’s Trooping – which marks the official birthday celebrations of the King, Kate twinned with her daughter Princess Charlotte, 10, in matching blue dresses.
Kate had joined the King’s Birthday Parade in her role as Colonel of the Irish Guards as she sat next to Charlotte with Louis and his older brother George sitting opposite them, on the carriage.
Charlotte took after her mother as they wore matching blue dresses, with Kate selecting a blue coat dress from her late mother-in-law Princess Diana’s favourite designer Catherine Walker – complete with a wide-brimmed hat by Juliette Botterill.
Kate accessorised with the Irish Guards regimental brooch as well as the Bahrain Pearl Drop earrings in a sweet tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II. They were crafted from pearls gifted to the Queen and Philip from the ruler of Bahrain at the time of their wedding in 1947.
Princess Charlotte rewore a brooch she first wore to her great-grandmother’s funeral.
The young royal, 10, pinned the historic Diamond Horseshoe brooch to the front of her light blue dress for her grandfather King Charles’ birthday parade today – with Charlotte first wearing the piece of jewellery to Queen Elizabeth’s funeral in 2022.
The brooch, which has been in the Royal Family for generations, had been a gift from her ‘Gan-Gan’ the Queen, and was a fitting nod to Her Majesty’s love of horses.
Last year’s celebrations served as the mother-of-three’s first public appearance of 2024, following treatment after she was diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer.
Crowds of well-wishers and royal fans lined the Mall ahead of this morning’s ceremony and, if the cardboard cutouts they carried were any indication, the Princess of Wales’s arrival was most eagerly anticipated.
Later on, Kate joined the rest of her family in observing a flypast on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, London.
The King and Queen Camilla led the royal appearances as they prepared to watch a flypast involving aircraft including the Red Arrows, Chinook helicopters and a Lancaster bomber, a model that was used during World War II.
Kate, William and their children George, 11, Charlotte, ten and Louis, seven, stole the show and were joined by the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, as well as the Princess Royal and Sir Timothy Laurence.
The late Queen’s cousin the Duke of Gloucester and his wife also watched the flypast, alongside Prince Michael of Kent.
Cheeky Prince Louis captured the hearts of the nation once again as he waved to the gathered crowds with a large beaming smile.
On Monday, Kate made a glamorous re-appearance at the annual Order of the Garter service – after sadly missing the event the year prior.
