A little boy asked her if she was the Queen. "No, I am the Princess of Wales," she beamed, before blowing kisses and talking dinosaurs with young patients. This was the scene at Evelina London Children's Hospital in July 2026, when Catherine, Princess of Wales, made a surprise visit to the south London hospital she has been patron of since 2018.
The Princess spent the afternoon meeting children and families on the Edward ward, a new cardiac ward that brings world-leading heart, lung and intensive care specialists onto a single site. She also visited the Galaxy Ward, a brand-new outpatients unit with a children's day centre, and met the hospital's cancer programme team. Among the patients she spoke with was Ejran, 10, who had been in hospital for a month with serious cardiac problems and described the encounter as "amazing". Another was Hope Turnbull, 14, who had suffered a relapse of heart problems she had had since birth. The princess's tour was led by chief executive Gubby Ayida.
“Explains the Princess of Wales's role as patron of children's hospitals, using her 2026 visit to Evelina London as an example.”
Royal patronage of hospitals is a longstanding tradition in the UK, dating back centuries. Senior members of the royal family lend their name and time to charitable institutions, helping to raise their profile and highlight their work. The Princess of Wales has made early childhood development and children's health a central focus of her public role. Her patronage of Evelina London, which is part of Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, allows her to see first-hand how the hospital integrates specialist medical expertise with family-centred support.
For UK readers, these visits matter because they shine a light on the work of NHS children's services. Evelina London treats children with complex conditions from across the country, including cancer, heart defects and rare genetic disorders. The princess's presence draws media coverage that can increase public understanding and charitable donations. It also boosts morale among staff and patients. During her 2026 visit, she wrote a poem about Shrek with a young patient and told a 10-year-old how her own three children love the animated film.
Q: What exactly does a royal patron do at a children's hospital? A royal patron is a member of the royal family who lends their name and support to a charity or institution. They typically make visits, meet patients and staff, and help raise awareness of the organisation's work. The Princess of Wales has been patron of Evelina London since 2018 and visits regularly to learn about new developments and meet families.
Q: Why does the Princess of Wales focus on children's health? The Princess has made early childhood development the cornerstone of her public work. She believes that the first five years of a child's life are critical for shaping future outcomes, and she supports initiatives that improve children's health, wellbeing and family support. Her patronage of Evelina London aligns with this focus.
Q: How does Evelina London Children's Hospital help children with rare conditions? Evelina London is a specialist children's hospital that provides expert care for children with complex and rare conditions from across the UK. It has centres of excellence for cardiac, cancer and intensive care services, and works to bring together multidisciplinary teams to support both the child and their family throughout treatment.
The Princess of Wales's visit in July 2026 was part of her ongoing commitment to understanding the challenges faced by young patients and their families. She is expected to continue visiting children's hospitals and early years settings, using her platform to champion the needs of children with serious illnesses.