Kate Middletondisplayed her special connection with children while visiting one of her longstanding patronages.
Kate and Prince William headed to East Anglia’s Children’s Hospice in Milton on Thursday as part of theirvisit to the region of Cambridgeshire. Making the outing extra meaningful was their connection to the area — the couple received the titles of Duke and Duchess of Cambridge fromQueen Elizabethon their wedding day in April 2011.
During the visit, Kate added her hand print to a canvas. Willow Bamber, 8, helped paint the royal’s hand with a brush — and Kate sweetly told the young girl, “Don’t be shy!”
Willow, grinning ear to ear, then helped press Kate’s hand onto the canvas to cheers from those watching.
Kate Middleton.BEN STANSALL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Kate did a similar arts and crafts project with her youngest child,Prince Louis, to celebrate his second birthday in 2020. Louiscovered his hands in rainbow colorsto make an artwork in support of National Health Service (NHS) workers and other essential workers tackling the coronavirus pandemic across the country.
Kate Middleton.Ben Stansall/WPA Pool/Getty
In a hilarious “Instagram vs Reality” photo,Prince Louissmeared the paint all over his face — and Kate later revealed that shegot a bit messy as wellduring the photo shoot.
“I should’ve taken a photograph of what I looked like after as well!” the royal mom of three said on U.K. talk showThis Morning.“Luckily, that wasn’t documented but I was pretty much, I looked like Louis at the end of those.”
They also met with children, young people and families who use services through EACH.
Kate has beenroyal patronof the charity since 2012.
Prince William and Kate Middleton.BEN STANSALL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
The visit also happened to fall during Children’s Hospice Week. To mark the occasion, Kate shared apersonal messageon Tuesday.
Kate praised the children’s hospices for bringing “joy, fun and play to brighten each day and help families make the most of their lives together, no matter how short” in addition to “providing expert care.”
“For any parent, coming to terms with the news your child has a life-threatening condition and may die young is heart-breaking and incredibly frightening. Families can often feel isolated, but having the support of a children’s hospice means they don’t have to face that future alone,” she wrote.
Kate Middleton.James Whatling/MEGA
Since becoming royal patron of EACH 10 years ago, Kate has been closely involved in the charity. Herfirst public speechas a member of the royal family came when officially opening The Treehouse in Ipswich in March 2012. She also attended fundraising appeals and cut the ribbon at The Nook in Norfolk in November 2019.
In June 2020, Katejoined families to plant a new patio gardenand transform the terrace area at The Nook. She sourced sensory plants and flowers for it ahead of her visit, which coincided Children’s Hospice Week.
Kate Middleton and Prince William.Neil Mockford/GC Images
Earlier in the day,Prince Williamand Kate were on hand for the unveiling of theirfirst official joint portrait.
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Kate Middleton and Prince William.Jamie Coreth + Fine Art Commissions
“It has been the most extraordinary privilege of my life to be chosen to paint this picture,” Coreth said. “I wanted to show Their Royal Highnesses in a manner where they appeared both relaxed and approachable, as well as elegant and dignified.”
source: people.com
