The Princess of Wales shared warm embraces with children receiving care at a Suffolk hospice as she returned to the facility where she delivered her first public speech as a member of the royal family.
Kate, 44, visited The Treehouse children’s hospice in Ipswich to meet young people with life-limiting conditions and their families while learning about the specialist care provided by East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH).
The visit also included a tour of construction work underway as part of a £6.3 million expansion project designed to increase the hospice’s capacity and improve its facilities.
Kate Returns to the Hospice 14 Years After Its Inauguration
The princess first inaugurated The Treehouse in 2012, shortly after marrying Prince William.
She was announced as patron of EACH in January that year after researching a selection of charities.
During her first visit, William was deployed to the Falkland Islands as an RAF search and rescue pilot.
Kate planted a tree at the hospice and delivered her first public speech as a royal, praising the charity’s work supporting children and their families.
Returning 14 years later, she heard about the organisation’s efforts to provide care, comfort and support to families facing life-limiting childhood illnesses.
In her 2012 speech, Kate described the hospice as a place where families could find a home away from home and live as normally as possible during a precious period in their lives.
She also praised the organisation for offering families feelings of love and hope, describing its work as an inspiration to the wider children’s hospice movement.
Princess Meets Young Patient During Music Therapy Session
During Thursday’s visit, Kate met 12-year-old Charlotte Freegard, who has received care from EACH since 2021.
Charlotte has Nemaline Myopathy, a rare muscle disorder that causes weakness throughout the body, particularly affecting the face, neck and limbs.
The youngster played the piano for the princess during a music therapy session.
Kate also visited the hospice’s sensory room, where she spoke with families and learned about the therapeutic activities available to children.
The princess participated in wellness sessions and heard how the hospice’s creative therapies help support the emotional and social wellbeing of children with life-limiting conditions and their relatives.
Kate Tours £6.3 Million Expansion Site
The princess began her visit by viewing construction work at the hospice, wearing a hard hat and high-visibility gilet as she toured the site.
She was welcomed by EACH chief executive Kevin Clements, who briefed her on the expansion plans and the growing demand for the charity’s services.
Kate wore a khaki suit by Victoria Beckham, comprising the £850 Katherine jacket and matching trousers priced at £475.
She paired the outfit with a black lambswool polo neck listed at £520 and a burgundy belt costing £290.
Her appearance came days after she attended a state banquet at Windsor Castle with King Charles III, Queen Camilla and Prince William in honour of Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tarik Al Said.
New Facilities Planned to Expand Hospice Services
The Treehouse currently has five children’s bedrooms and accommodation where families can stay overnight.
Its services include a sensory garden, music studio and hydrotherapy pool, providing therapeutic support for babies, children and young people receiving care.
The planned expansion will introduce a new hydrotherapy pool, a wellbeing and therapies suite, a larger activity area, an additional children’s bedroom and expanded kitchen and dining facilities.
The project will also create more space for group activities, wellbeing programmes and bereavement support, while providing greater privacy for families receiving end-of-life care.
Clements has described the expansion as one of the most important building projects in Suffolk, stressing that it is intended to ensure families can access support regardless of where they live or their background.
He has also said the hospice urgently needs additional space to continue providing care for the children and families who depend on its services.
Hospice Has Until October 2027 to Raise Remaining Funds
The £6.3 million expansion is being supported by fundraising efforts alongside the charity’s continuing day-to-day operations.
EACH has secured £4 million towards the project and has until October 2027 to raise the remaining amount.
Planning permission for the development was granted in November 2025, with construction expected to be completed by early 2028.
During her visit, Kate learned about the charity’s fundraising campaign and the challenge of maintaining its existing services while work on the expanded facilities continues.
Kate Praised Hospice During Her First Royal Speech
When Kate inaugurated The Treehouse in 2012, she spoke about the importance of the care provided to children and their families.
She said the hospice offered a place centred on family and enjoyment, providing a lifeline that enabled relatives to maintain as normal a life as possible during a difficult and precious period.
The princess also described the charity’s work as inspirational and praised the wider children’s hospice movement for the love, care and hope it offers families.
Kate’s connection to children’s hospice care also reflects the work of her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana, who opened EACH’s first hospice in Milton, Cambridgeshire, in 1989.
Hospice Visit Follows Royal Banquet and Message to Parents
Kate’s engagement in Ipswich followed her appearance at the state banquet held at Windsor Castle for the Sultan of Oman.
For the occasion, she wore a pale yellow Elie Saab gown featuring a cape and train, complemented by her Lover’s Knot tiara, diamond earrings and a bracelet belonging to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Her hospice visit also came after she issued a message encouraging parents to spend more time outdoors with their children.
In a video shared on the Prince and Princess of Wales’s official Instagram account, Kate spoke about the importance of nature in an increasingly digital world.
She said spending quality time outdoors had never been more important, urging families to make time for experiences away from screens.
The video was filmed in Cornwall with support from Prince William, who has taken an interest in the initiative through his role overseeing the Duchy of Cornwall.
Kensington Palace also released a new series of countryside portraits of the princess taken by photographer Josh Shinner.
