Princess Kate blows kisses to children as she steps out for secret visit
The Princess of Wales has served as the charity’s patron since 2018.
The Princess of Wales visited the hospital (Image: Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace)
The Princess of Wales has made a surprise visit to Evelina London Children’s Hospital today to learn more about how the hospital is working to bring specialist expertise together with family-centred support to help children and their loved ones navigate challenging times. Catherine, who has been the patron of Evelina London since 2018, met several young patients during her visit today, including those receiving cancer treatment.
Dressed in a classically elegant white dress and black belt, the Princess’s first stop was to the Edward ward, a new children’s cardiac ward within the North Wing at St Thomas’ Hospital, which has brought together world-leading children’s heart, lung and intensive care specialists onto a single site.
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Catherine has visited the charity a number of times, with her last visit being in December 2023, when she opened the Children’s Day Surgery Unit.
The Princess of Wales visited the hospital (Image: Andrew Parsons/Kensington Palace)
The next stop on Catherine’s tour of the hospital was the Galaxy ward, a brand-new outpatient unit within the Children’s Day Treatment Centre, which opened in May of this year.
Evelina London is currently expanding their services to allow more children and young people to lead healthier lives. Catherine heard about plans for a new hospital building, expected to open in the early 2030s, next to the existing site in Westminster.
The new site will provide additional scanners, beds and theatres alongside state-of-the-art technology. Evelina London Children’s Charity is fundraising more than £100 million towards the project.
The Princess was told how teams from Evelina London, The Royal Marsden, St George’s and University College London Hospital have been working together to plan for a safe transfer.
Last year, Catherine celebrated the charity’s 20th anniversary with a heartfelt message. She wrote: “As Patron of Evelina, I’m delighted to join everyone at Evelina London Children’s Hospital in celebrating the 20th anniversary of its iconic hospital building.
“Over the past two decades, this extraordinary space has enabled Evelina London to care for nearly three times as many children and young people as when it first opened. It is a place that symbolises love, healing and hope and has had such an impact on countless lives.
She continued: “As I know from my visits, the building’s bright, welcoming spaces and wonderful light-filled atrium ensure children feel safe, supported and nurtured as they face whatever challenges lie ahead.
“What makes this building so special is the remarkable staff, whose compassion and expertise shine through in every corner of the hospital, and create an environment where families feel cared for and uplifted.
“Looking ahead, I am filled with hope for Evelina’s future. As it continues to grow, even more children will benefit from the world-class care that defines Evelina, a place where healing begins with connection, and every child is cherished.”
