The Princess of Wales has returned to The Treehouse children’s hospice in Ipswich, Suffolk, 14 years after making her first public speech following her marriage to Prince William.
Kate, 44, wore a hard hat and high-visibility gilet as she toured the construction site on Thursday, where a multi-million-pound expansion is underway to accommodate growing demand for the hospice’s services.
The visit came two days after the princess attended a state banquet at Windsor Castle, where she wore a pale yellow Elie Saab gown and her Lover’s Knot tiara while joining King Charles III, Queen Camilla and Prince William in welcoming the Sultan of Oman.
Kate Wears Victoria Beckham Suit During Hospice Visit
For the Ipswich engagement, Kate wore a khaki suit by Victoria Beckham, consisting of 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 with a gold buckle costing £290.
The princess added protective clothing for her tour of the building site, where she learned about the planned improvements and the care provided to children with life-limiting conditions.
During the visit, Kate was also due to meet children and their families to hear how the hospice’s care and complementary creative therapies have supported their emotional and social wellbeing.
Hospice Expansion Set to Cost £6.3 Million
The Treehouse is undergoing a £6.3 million expansion intended to provide additional space for children and families who rely on its services.
East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) chief executive Kevin Clements has described the development as one of the most important building projects in Suffolk, explaining that its purpose extends beyond the construction work itself.
He said the project would help ensure families could access care and feel supported regardless of where they lived or their background.
The expansion plans include a new hydrotherapy pool, a wellbeing and therapies suite, a larger care activity area, an additional children’s bedroom and expanded kitchen and dining facilities.
New Facilities Aim to Improve Support for Children and Families
The Treehouse currently has five children’s bedrooms and accommodation for families who need to stay overnight.
Its services include a sensory garden, music studio and hydrotherapy pool, which are used to support the wellbeing of babies, children and young people receiving care.
Mr Clements previously told the BBC that additional space was urgently needed to maintain the hospice’s services.
He said the development would create more room for group activities, wellbeing programmes and bereavement support. It would also provide greater privacy for families receiving end-of-life care for their children.
Construction is expected to be completed by early 2028, following the granting of planning permission last November.
Charity Has Raised £4 Million Towards Project
EACH has confirmed that £4 million of the expansion’s funding has already been secured, with the charity facing an October 2027 deadline to raise the remaining amount.
During her engagement, Kate was due to learn more about the fundraising campaign and how the charity continues to provide day-to-day care and support while the building work progresses.
The project is intended to increase the hospice’s capacity and provide additional facilities for families dealing with life-limiting conditions and bereavement.
Princess Returns to Hospice Where She Made First Public Speech
Kate first visited The Treehouse in 2012 after becoming patron of EACH. She officially inaugurated the facility and planted a tree during the engagement.
At the time, Prince William was deployed to the Falkland Islands as an RAF search and rescue pilot.
During her speech, Kate described the hospice as a place centred on family and fun, saying it provided a home away from home for families during a particularly precious period of their lives.
She praised the charity’s work and the wider children’s hospice movement, describing its support as an example of care that inspired love and hope.
Kate’s appointment as patron was announced in January 2012 after she researched a selection of charities. Her mother-in-law, Princess Diana, opened EACH’s first hospice in Milton, Cambridgeshire, in 1989.
Visit Follows Royal Banquet for Sultan of Oman
Kate’s return to Suffolk followed the state banquet held at Windsor Castle for Sultan Haitham bin Tarik Al Said of Oman.
King Charles III hosted the event alongside Queen Camilla and other senior members of the Royal Family, including the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Princess Royal and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
Kate wore a pale yellow Elie Saab gown with a cape detail and train. She completed the look with her Lover’s Knot tiara, diamond earrings and a bracelet belonging to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Prince William wore white tie, a Windsor tailcoat, his Order of the Garter sash, the Lesser George and other medals and decorations.
Prince Harry Speaks About Desire to Reconcile With Family
The banquet took place on the same day that Prince Harry reiterated his desire to reconcile with his family.
In an interview with GQ, the Duke of Sussex denied that he had been taking a swipe at his brother when he said that some people did not want to work things out.
Harry, who has not spoken to William for four years, also spoke about grieving his complicated relationships with King Charles and the Prince of Wales.
Kate Encourages Parents to Spend More Time Outdoors
The hospice engagement also followed a message from Kate encouraging parents to make time for their children to enjoy the outdoors.
In a video shared on the official Instagram account of the Prince and Princess of Wales, she highlighted the importance of nature in an increasingly digital environment.
“Nature is such an extraordinary environment for us all and, in this tech-driven, digital age, spending quality time outdoors has never been more important,” she said.
Kensington Palace also released a new series of countryside portraits of the princess taken by photographer Josh Shinner.
Kate wore a wax jacket over a patterned jumper and a blouse with a pie-crust collar in the photographs, with her hair styled in loose waves.
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.
