The Princess of Wales put on a hard hat and high-vis gilet today as she revisited the Suffolk children’s hospice where she delivered her first public speech after marrying Prince William.
Kate, who wore a dazzling tiara on Tuesday night while supporting the King and Queen at a glittering state banquet, looked ready for the construction site as she toured the work taking place at The Treehouse in Ipswich.
The future queen, 44, opened the “inspirational” charity facility in 2012 as patron of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices. At the time, Prince William was serving in the Falklands as an RAF search and rescue pilot.
Fourteen years on, Kate has returned to The Treehouse as it undergoes a multi-million-pound expansion designed to meet growing demand for its specialist services.
Alongside her protective hat and jacket, the Princess of Wales wore Victoria Beckham from head to toe, choosing a £1,325 khaki power suit from the designer’s label.
The ensemble featured the £850 Katherine jacket, matching £475 trousers and a black lambswool polo neck priced at £520. She completed the outfit with a £290 burgundy belt featuring a gold buckle.
During the visit, the Princess heard how The Treehouse’s care, compassion and sense of connection are transforming the lives of children with life-limiting conditions and their families.
The Princess of Wales has returned to the Suffolk children’s hospice where she made her first public speech in 2012 after marrying Prince William
Kate gave her hard hat a fashionable twist as she toured the new site, where construction work is now under way
EACH chief executive Kevin Clements has previously described the £6.3 million expansion as “one of the most important building projects” currently under way in Suffolk. He said: “It’s about so much more than bricks and mortar.”
“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.”
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.
“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,” she said, as the crowd erupted into loud cheers.
The Treehouse currently has five children’s bedrooms, as well as accommodation where families can stay overnight.
The hospice offers a wide range of therapeutic services, including a sensory garden, music studio and hydrotherapy pool, helping to provide the best possible quality of life for babies, children and young people receiving care at The Treehouse.
The expansion plans include a new hydrotherapy pool, a wellbeing and therapies suite, a larger care activity area, an additional children’s bedroom and expanded kitchen and dining facilities.
Kate opened the hospice in 2012 and delivered her first speech as a royal at the event
Kate was welcomed by EACH chief executive Kevin Clements after arriving at 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
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.
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‘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.
