The Princess of Wales has arrived for her first royal ‘away day’ since 2023 as part of her slow and steady return to royal duties as she visits a children’s hospice, of which she has become patron.
Arriving at Tŷ Hafan this morning after ‘proudly’ announcing her new patronage, Catherine, 43, donned a checked dress from Zara with pussybow detailing and wore her hair in loose waves hanging down her shoulders, before being greeted by a member of staff.
It wasn’t long before the princess got stuck in to the visit, as she made a beeline for adorable children who visit the hospice who were using the soft play area.
Kate, who is a mother of three, chatted to young children including a little girl who uses a wheelchair, and who was dressed in pink and had her hair in pigtails for the occasion.
Speaking to the young girl, she asked: ‘What do you like doing when you’re here?’ before she replied to explain she enjoyed music.
Kate then asked: ‘Have you played any of the instruments?’ and picked up a rattle before giving it a little shake. The little girl erupted in giggles and went on to demonstrate her percussion playing on a xylophone.
She was overheard discussing ‘challenging’ times for families as she spoke with parents whose children have received care from the hospice.
It is no coincidence that the princess has chosen South Wales to undertake two solo engagements given her title and love for the country and its people, sources have told the Mail.
The day has been designed to showcase the work of ‘long-established organisations with community at their core’.
The princess’s visits will focus on spotlighting the wellbeing of children and families as well as celebrating excellence in Welsh textiles manufacturing, both of which are themes close to her heart.
A source told the Mail: ‘When she became the Princess of Wales she and her husband vowed to celebrate and service the dynamic nation that Wales is today.
‘I think the Princess choosing a visit to Wales for her second solo engagement of 2025 signals the importance that she places on Wales and the love that she has for the nation and its people.’
The last joint ‘away day’ of engagement conducted by the princess was in early November 2023 and her last day of solo engagements was in September of the same year, when she visited her ancestors’ former wool factory in Leeds.
Catherine is starting the day with a moving visit to Tŷ Hafan, a children’s hospice based in Sully, near Cardiff, which supports families to ensure that children with life-shortening conditions have fulfilling lives.
Tŷ Hafan was the first children’s hospice in Wales when it opened in 1999 and provides free care and support both within the hospice itself and in homes and communities.
The charity’s ambition is that no family should have to experience their child’s short life alone, with staff ‘walking alongside’ every family who needs their support – through life, death and beyond.
Holistic care, something that interests Catherine hugely, is a huge part of its ethos, focusing on the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of the children in its care.
To coincide with her arrival, Kensington Palace announced that the princess has today also become Patron of Tŷ Hafan Children’s Hospice, following in the footsteps of the King and her husband’s late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.
Irfon Rees, Chief Executive of Tŷ Hafan – which translates from Welsh to ‘Haven House’ in English – said: ‘We are deeply honoured that Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales has become Patron of Tŷ Hafan and it was an absolute pleasure to welcome Her Royal Highness to our hospice for the first time today.
‘As our Patron, Her Royal Highness will be an inspiration for children with life-shortening conditions and their families, our dedicated staff and volunteers and everyone who so generously supports us.
‘No parent ever imagines that their child’s life will be short. Sadly this is the reality facing thousands of families in Wales. We can’t stop this happening, but together we can make sure that no one lives their child’s short life alone.’
The wellbeing of children and their families has always been close to The Princess’ heart, a palace aide said.
The first patronage Her Royal Highness took on when she became a Member of The Royal Family was EACH (East Anglia’s Children’s Hospice) and she maintains a close relationship with the organisation to this day.
The Princess is looking forward to building a similar relationship with Tŷ Hafan and the children and families it serves in Wales, they added.
As Prince of Wales, King Charles was patron of Tŷ Hafan from 2001.
The position was previously held by Diana, Princess of Wales while the charity was in its fundraising stage.
Commenting on her patronage on the Kensington Palace X/Twitter account, the Princess said: ‘A proud moment becoming Patron of Tŷ Hafan.
‘Opening in 1999 as Wales’ first children’s hospice, Tŷ Hafan continues to provide specialist care to children with life-shortening conditions, offering vital support to them and their families, throughout life, at end of life, and beyond.’
The Princess’ visit to South Wales today is the first time she has visited the nation since undergoing her treatment and recovery. Her last engagements there were with her husband in October 2023.
During her visit today Catherine will see a music therapy session in action.
To mark the visit and the announcement of the patronage, Kensington Palace have arranged for a donation of musical instruments to be provided to the charity to allow them to conduct more music therapy sessions in the future.
Although it has been a comparatively busy week for The Princess – with the Holocaust Memorial Day Service on Monday followed by the two engagements in Wales today – sources close to the princess are keen to stress that it remains part of a gradual, phased return to work.
Aides say the engagements this week are not a ‘template’ for the next few months and she is not ‘fully back to work’ yet. Her diary will, it is said, vary from week to week.
However ‘she is very much looking forward to being in Wales today and to be focussing on two themes which are close to her heart,’ sources stressed.
During her visit, the Princess is spending time with some of the children and their families, joining a ‘stay and play’ session.
She will also movingly meet with bereaved families supported by Tŷ Hafan throughout their children’s lives, deaths and beyond.
The royal mother-of-three’s solo visit marks her second engagement this week; after she joined her husband Prince William on Monday to mark international Holocaust Remembrance Day.
The Prince and Princess of Wales visited London’s Guildhall where they marked the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.
The event included an emotional reunion with Steven Frank, 89, and Ms Bernstein, 87, both of whom the Princess photographed back in 2020.
The Princess’s close bond with both survivors was clear for all to see, putting on an affectionate display and warmly embracing Ms Bernstein.
Kate described Ms Bernstein, who was hidden as a child in France throughout most of the Second World War by her uncle, as an ‘old friend’, clasping her hands and telling her it was a ‘treat’ to see her again.
She had greeted the 87-year-old by saying: ‘It’s so nice to see you,’ and hearing that Yvonne had suffered some health problems, she added: ‘You’ve had such a hard time, haven’t you?’
The two shared an emotional hug, before Ms Bernstein gently touched the princess’s face and arm, and thanked her for coming.
The touching exchange was reminiscent of their previous meetings in 2020 and 2021 after Kate photographed her for a Holocaust exhibition at the Imperial War Museum – and they’ve clearly remained close over the years.
As revealed by the Mail earlier this month, the princess continues to plan a slow and measured return to royal duties following her cancer diagnosis and treatment last year.
It was little over a year ago that she was admitted to hospital for serious abdominal surgery, after which doctors found there had been evidence of cancer present.
She underwent a gruelling course of preventative chemotherapy, which ended late last summer, and recently confirmed that she was officially in remission.
While thanking people for their ongoing support she warned, however, that her focus remains on her recovery and adjusting to a ‘new normal’ for the sake of her family.
