The Princess of Wales was asked by a young patient if she was the Queen during a surprise visit to Evelina London Children’s Hospital on Monday. ‘No, I am the Princess of Wales,’ she beamed, as she toured the hospital’s new Edward ward, a children’s cardiac unit that brings world-leading heart, lung and intensive care specialists onto a single site.
Kate, who has been the hospital’s patron since 2018, spent the afternoon meeting patients and families. One of them was Ejran, 10, who has been in hospital for a month with serious cardiac problems. He told Kate he had written a poem about Shrek, prompting the Princess to say that her three children all love the animated film. ‘Amazing,’ Ejran said afterwards, giving a thumbs up.
“Princess Kate visits Evelina London Children's Hospital, talks dinosaurs and blows kisses to young patients.”
Earlier, Kate stopped to chat with a three-year-old boy with a rare vein condition, talking dinosaurs and blowing him a kiss. She also met Hope Turnbull, 14, who had recently collapsed at home after a relapse of heart problems she has had since birth. Hope’s mother, Connie, was with her, and Hope was hoping to go home soon.
Dressed in an elegant white dress with a black belt, Kate was welcomed by chief executive Gubby Ayida before beginning her tour. She privately visited the Galaxy Ward, a new outpatients unit with a children’s day centre for cardiac appointments. Her final stop was the hospital atrium to meet the children’s cancer programme team, who are planning the move of a specialist cancer and blood and marrow transplant unit.
The visit underscored the Princess’s commitment to the hospital, which has undergone major changes to bring specialist expertise together with family-centred support.