The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are getting into the Christmas spirit today as they visit a children’s hospital and a homeless resource centre.
William and Kate met youngsters receiving care and their parents when they tour the Evelina London Children’s Hospital this morning, less than an hour after she was announced as its new patron.
Later they will travel to The Passage, where they will hear from frontline workers about the challenges relating to street homelessness, including drug addiction and mental health issues.
The Duchess of Cambridge joins the children in Christmas-themed activities at Evelina London Children’s Hospital today
Prince William takes part in the Christmas activities during the royal visit to Evelina London Children’s Hospital this morning
Kate laughs with the children and workers at Evelina London as the hospital prepares to mark its 150th anniversary in 2019
The Duchess of Cambridge was named as the new patron of the hospital ahead of her visit to the institution with her husband
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive at Evelina London Children’s Hospital in Lambeth this morning
Kate arrives at the Evelina London Children’s Hospital today, less than an hour after she was announced as its new patron
Onlookers take photographs of the Duchess of Cambridge during her visit to Evelina London Children’s Hospital today
At the Evelina, part of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, they will join children in Christmas themed activities
Kensington Palace said Kate’s patronage at the hospital ‘provides an opportunity to champion medical professionals’
William and Kate will meet youngsters receiving care and their parents when they tour the Evelina London Children’s Hospital
At the Evelina, which is part of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, they joined children as they took part in Christmas themed activities, before enjoying celebrations to mark the 150th anniversary of the hospital.
The hospital provides comprehensive health services to children and families from before birth, throughout childhood and into adult life, and also offers specialist services for youngsters with rare and complex conditions.
Kensington Palace said Kate’s patronage ‘provides an opportunity to champion the medical professionals working on the front-line in children’s healthcare, and shine a light on their work supporting children in their early years’.
Marian Ridley, director of Evelina London, said: ‘We are absolutely delighted and deeply honoured The Duchess of Cambridge has chosen to become our Patron.
‘The Duchess shares our passion for giving children and young people the very best start in life and Her Royal Highness’s support will help champion the life-saving care our staff are providing to our patients.’
The hospital, which marks its 150th anniversary next year, is part of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
Kate is the official figurehead for the Evelina London Children’s Hospital, which is based in Lambeth
Evelina London’s director said the hospital is ‘absolutely delighted and deeply honoured’ that Kate has become its new patron
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge during a visit to Evelina London Children’s Hospital today
The visit will see them learn about how the hospital supports children and their families, and the specialist services provided
The Duchess of Cambridge arrives for a visit today after becoming patron of Evelina London Children’s Hospital
The hospital provides health services to children and families from before birth, throughout childhood and into adult life
‘It is a huge pleasure to welcome Their Royal Highnesses back to our hospital and we are absolutely delighted that they are able to join us as we begin to celebrate our milestone 150th anniversary.’
At The Passage’s St Vincent centre in Victoria, William and Kate will meet people using its services when they join an arts and crafts workshop preparing gifts ahead of centre’s Christmas party.
Established in 1980, The Passage provides resources to encourage, inspire and challenge homeless people to make lasting and long-term changes to their lives.
William first visited the charity in 1994 with his younger brother Harry when the pair were 12 and 10, alongside their mother Diana, Princess of Wales. In 2016 the duke reopened the newly refurbished St Vincent’s Centre.
William first visited homeless charity The Passage in 1994 with his younger brother Harry when the pair were 12 and 10, alongside their mother Diana, Princess of Wales
William is presented with a picture of himself, Harry and Diana from 1994 during another visit to The Passage in May 2016
How Evelina London Children’s Hospital was founded by an Austrian baron after his wife died in childbirth
Evelina London Children’s Hospital – where Cbeebies presenter Dr Ranj Singh used to work as a doctor – cares for youngsters with rare and complex conditions from across South London, Kent, Surrey and Sussex.
Now part of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust – of which the Queen is Patron – the hospital was founded for poor children in 1869 by Ferdinand de Rothschild in memory of his wife, Evelina, three years after she died in childbirth.
Funded entirely by the wealthy Austrian baron’s money, it was built to house 100 beds and opened with 30 cots – and was run as a private charity by Mr de Rothschild and his friends.
James Bond actor Daniel Craig popped into the hospital, which is next to the River Thames, while filming Spectre in 2015
Staff at Evelina London Children’s Hospital, part of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, work in the neonatal intensive care unit
The hospital – based across the River Thames from the Houses of Parliament – now includes 167 inpatient beds, including 20 intensive care beds, a 52-cot neonatal unit, five operating theatres and one cardiac theatre.
It also has a full children’s imaging service with MRI scanner, x-ray and ultrasound, a kidney dialysis unit, an outpatients department, medical day care unit and a hospital school.
The hospital also provides community services for children and families in Lambeth and Southwark, including health visitors, school nurses and input to prevent children with long-term health conditions needing hospital care.
The hospital includes 167 inpatient beds, including 20 intensive care beds, a 52-cot neonatal unit and five operating theatres
Cbeebies presenter Dr Ranj Singh – pictured on Strictly Come Dancing last month – used to work at the hospital as a doctor
It has themed floors and a conservatory, and the seven-storey glass-fronted building features a four-storey conservatory and impressive views of Lambeth Palace and Archbishop’s Park.
Recent celebrity visitors to the hospital – which is marking its 150th anniversary next year – include England footballer Dele Alli, who visited last year, and James Bond actor Daniel Craig, who popped in while filming Spectre in 2015.