Princess Catherine Returns To Where Her Royal Journey First Began

On Thursday, Princess Catherine revisited the place where she gave her first ever public speech as a member of the royal family. Read on to find out more about the special anniversary.

The Treehouse Hospice

Town and Country reminded readers that the first time Princess Catherine visited The Treehouse children’s hospice in Ipswich was back in 2012.

She officially opened the hospice in March 2012, delivering her first public speech as a royal. Fourteen years later, she returned to see how the facility is expanding.

On October 22, she seemed relaxed, although careful about health and safety on a construction site.

The outlet explained that Prince William’s wife “put on a hard hat and an orange high-vis jacket to see construction work being done.”

14 Years Of Progress 

It’s been fourteen years since it all started, and when she returned to the facility to check out progress, she met with children and their parents and she listened in in a music therapy session.

The outlet also noted that “She was pictured kneeling down to talk to children and hugging some of the 185 young people and family members who currently receive support from the hospice.”

If you don’t know, the expansion on the project includes several improvements, as well as a hydrotherapy pool.

According to the BBC, the day didn’t end with checking out the construction progress. Princess Catherine also “later visited an EACH shop in Hoveton, Norfolk, to meet volunteers, staff members and doting supporters outside.”

Of course, it doesn’t hurt the charity to get a royal visit, as they rely mostly on donations to keep the facility going.

Royal Family Fans Weigh In

When The Royal Family Channel shared the visit by Catherine on YouTube, many people took the opportunity to have their say.

One admirer wrote, “Catherine embodies compassion.”

Here are a few more responses from the discussion:

• “This is how real royalty do their work.”
• “My favourite part is she asks the young lady’s permission to sit next to her.”
• “God bless HRH The Princess of Wales for always taking an interest in the less fortunate and vulnerable.”
• “Beautiful inside and out.”
• “Long life to Princess Catherine, and good health!”

About The Facility

The facility is specially designed so that vulnerable young people benefit, and for teenagers, there are specific spaces for them.

By the time it’s completed, the project will have another lounge for teens in an area where other care is given. It also offers easy access for the kids to get to the dining hall.

Per custommaposter.com, “The development is expected to be completed in 2028, and EACH is actively fundraising to support both the expansion and ongoing day-to-day care.”

Missing Another Engagement

The outlet also noted that the engagement came “after she missed a poignant ceremony marking the 60th anniversary of the Aberfan disaster.”

However, the Aberfan memorial wasn’t forgotten as she signed a wreath that Prince William took with him. King Charles and Queen Camilla also attended.

Your thoughts? Join the discussion and then come back for more royal family news and updates.