The Princess of Wales put on a hard hat and high-visibility gilet as she returned to the Suffolk children’s hospice where she delivered her first public speech after marrying Prince William.
Kate, who attended a glittering state banquet with the King and Queen on Tuesday evening wearing a dazzling tiara, embraced a very different look this morning while touring construction work at The Treehouse in Ipswich.
The future queen, 44, officially opened the “inspirational” charity facility in 2012 as patron of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices, while Prince William was serving in the Falklands as an RAF search and rescue pilot.
Fourteen years on, Kate revisited The Treehouse as it undergoes a multi-million-pound expansion designed to meet growing demand for its services.
Despite the practical safety gear, the Princess of Wales maintained a polished appearance in head-to-toe Victoria Beckham, wearing a £1,325 khaki power suit from the designer’s label.
The ensemble comprised the £850 Katherine jacket, £475 matching trousers and a £520 black lambswool polo neck. Kate completed the outfit with a £290 burgundy belt featuring a gold buckle.
During the visit, the Princess learned more about the life-changing care, compassion and connection offered to children living with life-limiting conditions and their families.
The Princess of Wales revisited the Suffolk children’s hospice where she made her first public speech after marrying Prince William in 2012
Kate gave her hard hat a stylish twist while viewing the new hospice facilities currently under construction
Kate was also introduced to 12-year-old Charlotte Freegard, who has received support from East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices, known as EACH, since 2021.
Charlotte has Nemaline myopathy, a rare muscle disorder that causes weakness throughout the body, particularly affecting the face, neck and limbs.
EACH chief executive Kevin Clements has described the £6.3 million expansion as “one of the most important building projects” currently taking place in Suffolk. He stressed that the scheme represents far more than a construction project.
“It’s about making sure every family who needs us feels seen, supported and can access our care – wherever they live and whatever their background,” he said.
During her first visit to the hospice in 2012, Kate planted a tree and said: “Today I have seen again that The Treehouse is all about family and fun. For many, this is a home from home – a lifeline enabling families to live as normally as possible during a very precious period of time.”
She added: “What you do is inspirational. It is a shining example of the support and care delivered not just here, but throughout the children’s hospice movement up and down the country.”
“The feelings you inspire – feelings of love and hope – offer families the chance to live a life they never thought could be possible,” Kate said, prompting loud cheers from the crowd.
The Treehouse currently includes five children’s bedrooms, along with accommodation where families can stay overnight.
Kate met 12-year-old Charlotte Freegard, who has been receiving care from EACH since 2021
Kate opened the hospice in 2012, where she delivered her first speech as a member of the Royal Family
EACH chief executive Kevin Clements welcomed Kate to the Ipswich hospice this morning
Kate with Mr Clements during today’s engagement
Kate looked elegant in a Victoria Beckham suit that she paired with a grey turtleneck and a brown belt from the brand
The Princess of Wales viewed construction work at The Treehouse children’s hospice during a visit to learn about the care and support provided by East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH)
The Princess of Wales donned a hard hat and high-vis gilet as she toured the hospice’s new expansion site
The hospice provides a range of therapeutic services – from a sensory garden and music studio to a hydrotherapy pool – to ensure the best quality of life for the babies, children and young people receiving care at The Treehouse.
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The expansion plans include a new hydrotherapy pool, wellbeing and therapies suite, a larger care activity area, an additional children’s bedroom and expanded kitchen and dining facilities.
Mr Clements previously said ‘more space is desperately needed’ at The Treehouse so that it can continue to provide world-class care to the children and families that rely on the facility.
‘This project will enable us to provide more space for group activities, wellbeing activities, bereavement support,’ the EACH chief executive told the BBC.
‘It provides more privacy for families when we are managing end-of-life care for babies, children and young people.’
Construction work is expected to be completed by early 2028 after planning permission was granted last November.
The princess will today learn how EACH is fundraising for the expansion while continuing to provide vital day-to-day care and support for families.
The charity has confirmed £4million of the funding has already been secured and that it has until October 2027 to raise the balance.
Kate will also meet some of these children and families to learn how the complementary creative therapies they receive have enhanced their emotional and social wellbeing.
It was announced that Kate would become patron of the Treehouse in January 2012 after researching a selection of charities.
Kate met the family members of children with life-limiting diseases that receive care at the hospice
EACH chief executive Mr Clements giving Kate an update about the ambitious £6.3million expansion project currently underway at the Treehouse
EACH chief executive Kevin Clements (left) previously said the £6.3million expansion is ‘one of the most important building projects’ in Suffolk right now
Her mother-in-law, Princess Diana, opened Each’s first hospice in Milton, Cambridgeshire, in 1989.
Kate’s engagement in Ipswich comes days after she joined the King, Queen and Prince William at a glittering state banquet for the Sultan of Oman – on the same day that Prince Harry insisted he wanted to reconcile with his family.
The monarch was accompanied by William and Kate, Queen Camilla, the Princess Royal and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, as well as the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester as they hosted Sultan Haitham bin Tarik Al Said and his retinue in St George’s Hall at Windsor Castle.
Kate wore an ethereal pale yellow Elie Saab gown with a cape detail and train, which she paired with her favourite Lover’s Knot tiara, diamond earrings and a bracelet belonging to the late Queen Elizabeth.
William was dressed for the occasion in a white tie with the Windsor tail coat, his Most Noble Order of the Garter Sash with the Lesser George and other medals and decorations.
On the same day, Prince Harry insisted he wants to reconcile with his family after denying he was taking a ‘swipe’ at his brother, William, when he said: ‘Some people don’t want to work it out.’
The Duke of Sussex, who has not spoken to William for four years, admitted in an interview with GQ that he is grieving his ‘complicated relationships’ with the King and the Prince of Wales.
It comes after Kate urged that ‘spending quality time outdoors has never been more important’ in a poignant message to parents.
Kate spoke from the heart about her lifelong initiative to better the lives of young children – urging parents to get youngsters to put down their phones and enjoy the great outdoors.
‘Nature is such an extraordinary environment for us all and, in this tech-driven, digital age, spending quality time outdoors has never been more important,’ the future queen said in a video shared to the couple’s official Instagram.
Kensington Palace also released a new series of portraits of Kate in the countryside taken by Josh Shinner.
The princess looked radiant in her favourite wax jacket, under which she wore a patterned jumper and pie-frill blouse. Her hair was styled in loose waves.
The video was filmed yesterday in Cornwall with the support of the Prince of Wales. Given that he runs The Duchy of Cornwall, Prince William is said to be taking a keen interest in the project.