Princess Kate paid an unexpected visit to Evelina London Children’s Hospital today, where she greeted children battling cancer with heartfelt gestures.
The royal, known as the Princess of Wales and a patron of the hospital since 2018, spent the day exploring the hospital’s innovative approach of providing specialized care along with family-centered support to aid children and their families during challenging times.
Upon her arrival at Evelina London Children’s Hospital, Kate was warmly received by the hospital’s chief executive, Gubby Ayida. She embarked on a tour, meeting with patients and families who have already benefited from the hospital’s transformative initiatives.
Dressed in a stylish white outfit paired with a black belt, Kate’s initial stop was at the Edward ward, a new children’s cardiac ward at St Thomas’ Hospital. The ward brings together prominent specialists in children’s heart, lung, and intensive care onto a single site.
During her visit, the princess captivated both children and parents, including a young boy who mistook her for the Queen. Kate cheerfully corrected him, stating that she is the Princess of Wales. The boy, Ejran, who has been undergoing treatment for serious cardiac issues, expressed his excitement after meeting her.
Kate engaged with various patients, including Hope Turnbull, 14, and her mother, Connie, who shared their journey of battling heart problems. The royal also toured the Galaxy Ward, a new outpatients unit with the Children’s Day Centre, offering heart clinic appointments and essential care for children with cardiac conditions.
Her final stop was at the hospital’s atrium, where she met with the children’s cancer program team, discussing plans for a specialized cancer and blood and marrow transplant service to be relocated to Evelina. The initiative aims to centralize critical services for children with cancer in one accessible location.
Impressed by the hospital’s progress in the last three years, Kate expressed her admiration for the interconnected spaces created for patients. Evelina London is expanding its services to meet the growing demand, with plans for a new hospital building adjacent to the current site, set to open in the early 2030s.
The hospital’s collaboration with cancer specialists from The Royal Marsden and St George’s Hospital is integral to relocating key cancer services to the future Children’s Cancer Principal Treatment Centre at Evelina. This move will enhance access to specialized care, including intensive care and crucial cancer surgeries, for children in south London and South East England.
As the hospital’s patron for eight years, Kate has made frequent visits to monitor its progress and support its initiatives. Last year, she marked the charity’s 20th anniversary with a heartfelt message, emphasizing the importance of world-class care for children at Evelina.
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