Such a role model! The Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton made an appearance in support of a very important cause on Thursday, June 19.
The royal, 32, visited Ipswich’s Treehouse, a children’s hospice run by the organization East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH), for which she serves as the royal patron.
Middleton’s visit was in recognition of the UK’s Children’s Hospice Week, which brings awareness and raises funds for “children with life-limiting conditions” and the care that is needed to help them.
During her time at the care facility, the Duchess visited with patients and learned more about palliative care. She looked elegant in a sleeved Diane von Furstenberg paisley-printed dress with pink accents.
The mother to baby Prince George has worked in support of children’s hospices in the past, visiting the Rainbow Place Children’s Hospice in New Zealand in April.
On her Thursday stay, Middleton released a statement in support of the work that is being done at the facility.
“Around the clock support is crucial for children receiving palliative care,” she said. “They and their families often need help every hour of every day, both in hospices and at home. As Patron of EACH, I have seen first-hand this remarkable and varied work and just how vital the support of staff and volunteers can be to the families of children with life limiting conditions. It has been wonderful to see the fantastic public support for Children’s Hospice Week over the last few days. Please continue supporting your local children’s hospice in whatever way you can.”
Middleton’s support for the cause was celebrated by Graham Butland, the chief executive of EACH. “As our Royal Patron, Her Royal Highness has really helped put children’s hospice services in the UK at the forefront of people’s minds and allowed us to demonstrate the full and flexible range of services families can benefit from 24/7,” he said in a statement. “The very active role The Duchess plays, both publicly and in private, is considerable and much appreciated by our staff, volunteers and of course the children, young people and families using our services.”