The Princess of Wales has returned to The Treehouse children’s hospice in Ipswich, Suffolk, where she delivered her first public speech after marrying Prince William in 2012.
Kate, 44, visited the facility as patron of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH), the charity responsible for providing care and support to children with life-limiting conditions and their families.
During her first visit, when she was known as the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate officially opened The Treehouse and planted a tree. Hundreds of people gathered to hear her address, in which she praised the hospice’s work and described it as an inspiring example of care and support.
Prince William was serving in the Falkland Islands at the time, deployed as an RAF search and rescue pilot.
Princess Views £6.3 Million Hospice Expansion
Kate returned to the hospice as construction work continued on a £6.3 million expansion designed to accommodate growing demand for its services.
Wearing a khaki suit with a grey turtleneck and brown belt, the princess toured the developing site and donned a hard hat while viewing the construction work.
During the engagement, she was due to learn more about the care, compassion and connections provided by EACH, as well as the impact of its services on children with life-limiting conditions.
The visit also included opportunities to meet children and their families and hear how complementary creative therapies have supported their emotional and social wellbeing.
New Facilities Planned to Support More Families
The expansion will introduce several new facilities, including a hydrotherapy pool, a wellbeing and therapies suite, a larger area for care activities and an additional bedroom for children.
The plans also include expanded kitchen and dining facilities to improve the experience of children and families using the hospice.
The Treehouse currently has five children’s bedrooms and accommodation where families can stay overnight. Its existing services include a sensory garden, music studio and hydrotherapy pool, providing therapeutic support for babies, children and young people receiving care.
EACH chief executive Kevin Clements has described the expansion as one of the most important building projects in Suffolk, explaining that the development is intended to improve access to care for families from different backgrounds and locations.
He previously told the BBC that additional space was urgently needed to maintain the hospice’s standard of care.
The new facilities will allow the charity to provide more room for group activities, wellbeing programmes and bereavement support. They will also offer greater privacy for families receiving end-of-life care for babies, children and young people.
Charity Has Until October 2027 to Raise Remaining Funds
Planning permission for the expansion was granted last November, with construction expected to be completed by early 2028.
The charity has confirmed that £4 million of the required funding has already been secured. It has until October 2027 to raise the remaining amount.
During her visit, Kate was also due to learn how EACH is raising funds for the project while continuing to deliver its day-to-day care and support services.
The expansion is intended to ensure that more families can access the hospice’s facilities and receive support during difficult periods in their lives.
Kate Praised Hospice as a Place of Love and Hope in 2012
During her first visit in 2012, Kate highlighted the importance of creating a welcoming environment for families caring for children with serious conditions.
“Today I have seen again that the Treehouse is all about family and fun,” she said at the time.
She described the hospice as a home away from home and a lifeline that enabled families to live as normally as possible during a precious period of their lives.
Kate also praised the work of the staff and the wider children’s hospice movement, saying their care inspired feelings of love and hope.
She told the audience that the support offered by the charity gave families the opportunity to experience a quality of life they might not previously have thought possible. Her remarks were met with loud cheers from the crowd.
Kate’s appointment as patron of The Treehouse was announced in January 2012, following research into a selection of charities.
Her mother-in-law, Princess Diana, opened EACH’s first hospice in Milton, Cambridgeshire, in 1989.
Visit Follows Royal State Banquet at Windsor Castle
Kate’s engagement in Ipswich comes days after she attended a state banquet at Windsor Castle alongside King Charles III, Queen Camilla and Prince William.
The royal family hosted Sultan Haitham bin Tarik Al Said of Oman and his delegation in St George’s Hall.
Other members of the royal party included the Princess Royal and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, as well as the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
For the occasion, Kate wore a pale yellow Elie Saab gown featuring a cape detail and train. She accessorised with her Lover’s Knot tiara, diamond earrings and a bracelet belonging to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
William wore white tie with a Windsor tailcoat, his Order of the Garter sash, the Lesser George and other medals and decorations.
Prince Harry Speaks About Reconciliation With Royal Family
The state banquet took place on the same day that Prince Harry spoke publicly about 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 some people did not want to resolve their differences.
Harry, who has not spoken to William for four years, also discussed his grief over his complicated relationships with the King and the Prince of Wales.
Princess Encourages Families to Spend More Time Outdoors
Kate’s hospice visit follows a message in which she encouraged parents to make time for outdoor activities with their children.
In a video shared on the Prince and Princess of Wales’s official Instagram account, she spoke about the importance of nature in children’s lives.
“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.
In the photographs, Kate wore a wax jacket over a patterned jumper and a blouse with a pie-crust collar, with her hair styled in loose waves.
The video was filmed in Cornwall with support from Prince William, who is taking an interest in the project through his role in managing the Duchy of Cornwall.
