Kate Middleton Makes Emotional Visit to Hospice with Close Connection to Princess Diana

Mar. 15, 2025

Kate Middleton visits the Tŷ Hafan charity in Wales.Photo:Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace

Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace

Kate Middletonis making a poignant visit to a children’s hospice in Wales that had close links to another Princess of Wales before her.

On Thursday, Jan. 30, Princess Kate, 43, visited Tŷ Hafan, a charity that helps children with life-shortening conditions and their families lead fulfilling lives. Tŷ Hafan — which means “Haven House” in Welsh — is located in Sully, South Wales, and was built with the support ofPrince William’slate motherPrincess Diana.

Irfon Rees, Chief Executive of Tŷ Hafan, said in a statement that they were “deeply honored” that Kate has become Patron.

“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," Rees said.

Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales visits TA Hafan, a children’s hospice based in Sully, near Cardiff, which supports families in Wales to ensure that children with life-shortening conditions live fulfilling lives, on January 30, 2025 in Sully, Wales.Richard Pohle - WPA Pool/Getty

Richard Pohle - WPA Pool/Getty

“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."

Kate Middleton visits the Tŷ Hafan charity in Wales.Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace

It marked the second outing in several days for the princess, who is gradually getting back into her public role following the Jan. 14 news that she isin remissionfrom cancer. She also joined her husband Prince William at theLondon commemoration of the Holocaust victims and survivorson Jan. 27, earlier in the week.

The project to build the hospice was one of the last patronages of the late Princess Diana, and it was completed a few years after her 1997 death. Only last year, a new wing for bereaved families and staffers looking for respite amid challenging moments was opened with help from a donation from one of Diana’s former aides, Patrick Jephson.

Kate Middleton Princess of Wales visits TA Hafan, a children’s hospice based in Sully, near Cardiff, which supports families in Wales to ensure that children with life-shortening conditions live fulfilling lives, on January 30, 2025 in Sully, Wales.Richard Pohle - WPA Pool/Getty

Kate, who has adopted the hospice movement as one of her key public roles since she began her work in the royal family, has close links withEast Anglia’s Children’s Hospicebased in the area close to the Wales family’s country home, Anmer Hall, in Norfolk. Showing its importance to her, Kate’sfirst-ever royal speechwas during a visit to one of the hospice’s centers.

Kate Middleton visits the Tŷ Hafan charity in Wales.Press Association via AP Images

Press Association via AP Images

She has also visited hospices in other parts of the world when she has been on royal tours alongside William.

The connection between Princess Diana and Tŷ Hafan began in 1995, when the organization’s founder approached Diana about becoming the hospice’s patron.

“It hadn’t even broken ground, but she said yes,” her former private secretary Patrick Jephson recalled to PEOPLE in October.

Jephson told PEOPLE then that one of his “most enduring” memories of Diana is “her determination to lead from the heart — such as her work with end-of-life care around the world, and children’s hospices in particular.”

The work of Tŷ Hafan, he added, “like the work she did to draw the world’s attention to children with life-shortening conditions and their families, is surely the definition of love in action.”

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Princess Diana, with her former private secretary, Patrick Jephson (left).Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

Last October, as if to underscore the link to Diana, the new sanctuary for young people, families and staff, was opened. Its renovation and rebuild was only made possible following a $130,000 donation from her former private secretary Jephson.

source: people.com