Princess Kate paid a surprising visit to Evelina London Children’s Hospital today, where she interacted with children undergoing cancer treatment, sharing kisses and spreading joy.
As the patron of the hospital since 2018, the Princess of Wales spent the afternoon at the innovative hospital, witnessing firsthand how it integrates specialized medical care with family-centered support to assist children and their families through challenging times.
Upon her arrival at Evelina London Children’s Hospital, Kate was warmly greeted by its chief executive, Gubby Ayida, as she embarked on a tour to meet with patients and families benefiting from the hospital’s transformative initiatives.
Dressed in an elegant white dress paired with a black belt, Kate’s first destination within the hospital was the Edward ward, a newly established children’s cardiac unit within the North Wing at St Thomas’ Hospital, bringing together leading specialists in children’s heart, lung, and intensive care services under one roof.
The princess captivated both children and parents during her visit, charming them with her presence. During a chance encounter with a young boy who mistook her for the Queen, Kate cheerfully clarified her royal title as the Princess of Wales, leaving the boy in awe.
Ten-year-old Ejran, who had been hospitalized for a month due to serious cardiac issues, expressed his excitement after meeting Kate, describing the encounter as “amazing.” He even humorously expressed his wish to meet the King next.
Engaging with the children, Kate shared a moment with Ejran, who had written a poem about Shrek, a film loved by her own children. She continued to interact with patients and families in the Edward Ward, designed to provide a welcoming and supportive environment.
The visit also included a meeting with Hope Turnbull, 14, and her mother, Connie, who shared their journey of dealing with heart issues. Kate later visited the Galaxy Ward, a newly established outpatient unit with the Children’s Day Centre, offering essential heart clinic services and care for children with cardiac conditions.
Concluding her visit, Kate met with the children’s cancer program team at the hospital’s atrium, discussing plans for the relocation of specialized cancer and blood and marrow transplant services to the future Children’s Cancer Principal Treatment Centre at Evelina. This center will consolidate specialized services for children with cancer in one accessible location.
Impressed by the hospital’s progress since her last visit, Kate commended the enhanced facilities that foster connections and support for children and their families. Evelina London is set to expand its services to meet the growing demand, with plans to open a new hospital building adjacent to the current site by the early 2030s.
A significant aspect of Evelina’s expansion involves collaborating with leading institutions like The Royal Marsden and St George’s Hospital to centralize specialist cancer and transplant services for children in the future Children’s Cancer Principal Treatment Centre at Evelina. This move aims to ensure comprehensive care for children with cancer, including intensive care and crucial surgical procedures.
As a longstanding patron of the hospital for eight years, Kate has made regular visits to stay updated on its progress, including the opening of the children’s day center in 2023.
In a message commemorating Evelina’s 20th anniversary, Kate expressed her joy as the patron, praising the hospital’s world-class care and emphasizing its role as a place of healing and connection for every cherished child.
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