Princess Kate paid an unexpected visit to Evelina London Children’s Hospital today, where she interacted with young patients undergoing cancer treatment, showering them with affection.
The Duchess of Cambridge, who has served as the hospital’s patron since 2018, spent the day gaining insights into the hospital’s innovative approach, which combines specialized medical care with family-centered support to assist children and their families during challenging times.
Upon her arrival at Evelina London Children’s Hospital, Kate was greeted by the hospital’s CEO, Gubby Ayida, and embarked on a tour to meet with patients and families benefiting from the facility’s transformative initiatives.
Dressed in a stylish white outfit with a black belt, Kate’s first stop was the Edward ward, a newly established children’s cardiac unit at St Thomas’ Hospital, bringing together top-tier specialists in children’s heart, lung, and intensive care under one roof.
During her visit, the princess captivated both children and parents, charming a young boy who mistook her for the Queen. Amused, Kate clarified, “No, I am the Princess of Wales,” to which the boy, Ejran, 10, expressed his delight and described the encounter as “amazing.”
Kate engaged with the young patients, including Ejran, who shared his poem about Shrek with her. The future queen interacted with children and families in the Edward Ward, designed to create a welcoming and comforting environment.
She also met with Hope Turnbull, 14, and her mother, Connie, discussing Hope’s recent health challenges and aspirations for returning home soon. Kate then privately visited the Galaxy Ward, an advanced outpatient unit with the Children’s Day Centre, offering heart clinic appointments and diagnostic services for children with cardiac conditions.
Concluding her visit, Kate met with the children’s cancer program team in the hospital’s atrium, discussing plans for a specialized cancer and blood and marrow transplant service relocation to Evelina London. This initiative aims to centralize services for children with cancer, providing comprehensive care in one location.
Expressing her astonishment at the hospital’s progress since her last visit, Kate praised the new spaces that facilitate connections among patients and families. Evelina London is expanding its services to meet growing demand and is preparing to open a new hospital building adjacent to the current site in the early 2030s.
A significant aspect of Evelina’s expansion involves collaborating with The Royal Marsden and St George’s Hospital to establish the future Children’s Cancer Principal Treatment Centre at Evelina, offering comprehensive services for children with cancer in south London and Southeast England.
As the patron for the past eight years, Kate has made several visits to Evelina London to monitor its development, including the opening of the children’s day center in 2023. Last year, she commemorated the hospital’s 20th anniversary with a heartfelt message, expressing optimism for Evelina’s future and its commitment to delivering exceptional care to all children.
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