Kate marks Children's Hospice Week with 'shining light to families' message

The Princess of Wales has been a royal patron of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (Each) for more than 10 years

Britain's Kate, Princess of Wales, spends time with a group accessing the early years set of services during a visit to the Windsor Family Hub on Tuesday, June 6, 2023 in Windsor, England. AP

The Princess of Wales has marked Children's Hospices Week with a message saying they provide a “shining light” to families.

Kate hailed children’s hospices for their “life-changing care” and thanked staff for being there for people during their “darkest times”.

As a royal patron of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (Each) for more than 10 years, she also told of seeing “first-hand” how they allow “children to be children”.

“With 99,000 seriously ill children across the country, children’s hospices work tirelessly to provide life-changing care to families with the aim of making unbelievably difficult situations that little bit easier," Kate said.

“As patron of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices, I have been privileged to see first-hand the incredible way hospices help families and allow children to be children.

“During Children’s Hospice Week, all hospices will be doing what they do day in day out – delivering vital specialist care, and whether that is by helping to facilitate a day at the beach for children to feel the sand between their toes, engaging young people in therapeutic music activities, or having a fun painting session to create special moments and memories, the teams supporting these families regularly go above and beyond to make a difference to their lives, no matter how long or short they may be.

“On behalf of parents and carers across the country, I would like to say a huge thank you to all those working in children’s hospices.

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  Kate, Princess of Wales, cradles baby Bianca during a visit to the Royal Surrey County Hospital's maternity unit in Guilford, England. AP

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  The Princess of Wales arrives at the maternity unit. Getty Images

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  Kate met members of the Jasmine Team, a department that helps women affected by mental health issues during pregnancy and the postnatal period. Reuters

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  It was Kate's first major solo engagement since becoming the Princess of Wales, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II last month. PA

"You are a shining light to so many families in their darkest times and your efforts do not go unnoticed," she added.

“This Children’s Hospice Week, I hope you’ll join me in celebrating the truly extraordinary teamwork that goes into providing this incredible care.”

Children’s Hospice Week, from June 19-25, is organised by Together for Short Lives, the UK charity for seriously ill children and families, and is the only week dedicated to raising funds and awareness for the services across the country.

“We are so grateful for the princess’ invaluable contribution as royal patron," Phil Gormley, Each chief executive, said.

“Her work, visits and profile have projected our charity – as well as the importance of children’s hospice services generally – onto the global stage and for that we are truly thankful.”