Kate received a very warm welcome from local schoolchildren who were incredibly excited to meet her.
Nell Cork, whose brother Finnbar died aged five last year, presented The Duchess with beautiful flowers.
Nell's parents Tristan and Claire are paramedics who have advocated for greater funding for research into brain tumours. Very sadly five-year-old Finnbar died of a brain tumour last September. Richard Palmer reported "The Duchess of Cambridge hugged bereaved parents Tristan and Claire Cork and told them: "I'm a mother and I can't imagine what you've been through." . The family were supported by EACH throughout their son's illness - no doubt it was very emotional for them today.
EACH at Quidenham supports families and cares for children and young people with life-threatening conditions from across Norfolk. Their family centred approach includes specialist nursing care, symptom management support, wellbeing activities, and therapy and counselling – all meeting the individual needs of the child or young person, and the whole family. Since its opening in 1991, the increasing numbers of children with life-threatening conditions and complex healthcare needs visiting Quidenham means the hospice has outgrown its current site. A new purpose-built hospice ‘The Nook’, will help to provide more families with the same facilities as those offered by EACH hospices for Cambridgeshire, Essex and Suffolk.
Kate helped launched the Nook Appeal in 2014. EACH describes plans for the new hospice as "Our vision to transform children’s palliative care in Norfolk and deliver even better children’s hospice care services. EACH currently provides specialist care and support for 351 children and young people with an additional 417 family members receiving face-to-face therapeutic support. With high demand in Norfolk we are caring for 131 children and young people and 215 family members. The nook will allow us to do this while offering greater choice in a much improved, significantly larger, and more appropriate environment. This will positively impact on care delivered both in the hospice and in the community throughout Norfolk."
Take a virtual walk through The Nook by viewing this video.
The Duchess toured the current facilities of the hospice and met families who use the services at Quidenham as they take part in an art therapy session.
A lovely shot of Kate and Isabella.
More from the Mail Online:
Kate met four-year-old Daisy Benton on a visit to East Anglia's Children's Hospices in Quidenham, Norfolk, today. Daisy's sister, Isabella, six, who has a number of neurological conditions including complex refractory epilepsy and global developmental delay, is a patient at the centre. Kate laughed uproariously as the youngster excitedly tipped an entire pot of pink glitter onto her picture during an art session.
Play specialist Rachel Turner, who was running the sesson, said afterwards: 'I was worrying about not getting paint on her because Isabella, bless her, is very vigorous with the paint and the glitter.' Isabella's mother Michala Benton, 42, said afterwards: 'My other little girl Daisy asked her what it was like to be a real princess and Kate said she's very well looked after by her husband. Daisy is four and absolutely loves princesses.
Kate also said about her kids that Charlotte and George run in different directions all the time. She was very down to earth and was happy to sit with Isabella.' After the session Kate looked around at the toys in the room and, gesturing to some plastic dinosaurs, in what is thought to be a reference to her three-year-old son George, she said: 'I can see these going down very well with someone I might know.'
A lovely shot of Kate and Isabella.
Kate was asked what it's like to be a real princess :)
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| Rebecca English Twitter Feed |
Kate chatted with staff at the hospice.
Visiting the sensory room.
Kate posed for photos with families.
The Duchess clearly enjoyed meeting the children.
Before the visit concluded, Kate received an update on the appeal. Chief Executive Graham Butland spoke about Kate's 'journey' since she became patron in 2012. He said 'Then that journey developed into your first public speech.' Kate smiled and interjected - 'terrifying'. Mr Butland continued: 'Terrifying, well I can tell you my former chairman was equally terrified that day.' Rebecca English noted " After Mr Butland's comments, Kate held her hands to her face as though she was blushing from his remarks.".
You can watch a video of that moment below.
The appeal aims to raise £10 million and following mammoth fundraising efforts they are almost half way there. Graham Butland noted "We still have some way to go before the new hospice can be built, though, and we need continued help from individuals, trusts and events, and as much corporate and community support as possible." I follow EACH on social media and have been enormously impressed by their tireless fundraising work. From a festive fun run in Norfolk to local businesses hosting golfing events, the people of Norfolk are truly rallying behind the charity. Royal reporter Victoria Murphy joined Kate today and noted how "cramped" the Quidenham hospice is.
For those who are considering donating to The Nook Appeal or wish to find out more, please click here.
Before the visit concluded, Kate received an update on the appeal. Chief Executive Graham Butland spoke about Kate's 'journey' since she became patron in 2012. He said 'Then that journey developed into your first public speech.' Kate smiled and interjected - 'terrifying'. Mr Butland continued: 'Terrifying, well I can tell you my former chairman was equally terrified that day.' Rebecca English noted " After Mr Butland's comments, Kate held her hands to her face as though she was blushing from his remarks.".
You can watch a video of that moment below.
Another video of Kate today looking slightly embarrassed after @EACH_hospices pay tribute to her pic.twitter.com/GB6gBmGcEO— Victoria Murphy (@QueenVicMirror) January 24, 2017
The appeal aims to raise £10 million and following mammoth fundraising efforts they are almost half way there. Graham Butland noted "We still have some way to go before the new hospice can be built, though, and we need continued help from individuals, trusts and events, and as much corporate and community support as possible." I follow EACH on social media and have been enormously impressed by their tireless fundraising work. From a festive fun run in Norfolk to local businesses hosting golfing events, the people of Norfolk are truly rallying behind the charity. Royal reporter Victoria Murphy joined Kate today and noted how "cramped" the Quidenham hospice is.
For those who are considering donating to The Nook Appeal or wish to find out more, please click here.
Below, the boiled-wool Sinead Jacket. It has a sleek collarless cut with with a subtle peplum and bodice detailing to the back to define the figure, and fastens with an exposed front-zip for a contemporary finish.
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| Hobbs London |
The matching A-line Sinead skirt is crafted from a stunning floral Italian wool-blend, featuring clean lines and slit detail on the reverse. Both the skirt and jacket have been sold out for some time.
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| Hobbs London |
The Telegraph reports Kate purchased the suit over a year ago:
'It's the first time Kate has worn the elegantly-cut Sinead peplum jacket and pencil skirt, which cost £189 and £110 respectively, but intriguingly she must have bought her outfit some time ago. "The skirt and jacket are from a past season and came out in late August 2015 and would have sold out in the AW15 sale," a Hobbs representative told us of The Duchess's outfit.
That means that the latest Kate could have bought the green suit is December 2015 - implying the Duchess's wardrobe is planned meticulously and exceptionally well in advance. It's been suggested before that Kate buys clothes well in advance of wearing them to avoid being seen in the same outfit as other guests. And, of course, it dampens the impact of the so-called Copy Kate effect; fans of her look can't buy her exact item because it has long sold-out.'
Kate teamed the skirt suit with the Gerard Darel Josephine Blouse (with thanks to Middleton Maven). Crafted from pure silk the blouse features a collar with ruffled hem and button fastenings down the front framed by black stitching. The tie at the top of the blouse gives an extra piece of detail. The £175 was on sale at John Lewis before selling out. As of writing, it's available in several sizes on the Gerard Darel website.
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| Gerard Darel |
I believe it is the first time we've seen Kate wearing a piece by the brand. More on its background:
'The Gerard Darel brand was established in 1971 by founders Gerard and Daniele Darel. Championing a simple, chic and ultra-feminine aesthetic, Gerard Darel has embodied French elegance for over 40 years. From its first collection, the brand has continually displayed soft, dulcet tones and classic chic cuts at the core of its timeless and refined pieces.'
Kate wore her black suede Gianvito Rossi pumps.
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| Net-A-Porter |
The Duchess accessorised with her Kiki McDonough Morganite Cushion Drop earrings.
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| Kiki McDonough |
And completed the look with her black suede Mulberry clutch.
You can view a video from the visit here.
A lovely engagement in support of a wonderful cause!
When will see Kate officially next? Kensington Palace announced, on 6 February, William and Kate will attend ‘The Big Assembly’ by Place2Be hosted at Mitchell Brook Primary School, as part of the Heads Together campaign to start millions of conversations on mental health in 2017. The Big Assembly, on the theme of kindness, is one of many being held at primary schools across the UK to mark Children's Mental Health Week (6th to 12th February 2017). There's also a very sweet video of Kate and Pippa as bridesmaids (and little James Middleton stealing the show) at their Uncle Gary's wedding in 1991. Kate was just nine years old at the time - it offers a very candid look at a special day for the family. You can view the video here.
