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Kate Middleton becomes the new Patron of Tŷ Hafan, embracing her role with warmth and charisma on her first visit as she takes over from King Charles. Days back, news broke that the Princess of Wales was in line to become the Royal Warrant Grantor, a position currently held by her father-in-law. The reports suggested that the British monarch was looking to hand over the mantle, appointing Kate Middleton as Royal Warrant Grantor, which would make her the first Princess of Wales to hold such power in over 100 years.
Kensington Palace announced on Thursday that Kate has assumed a new role, becoming the Patron of Tŷ Hafan Children’s Hospice, an appointment held by the King since 2001, and Princess Diana before him. While a far cry from the authority she stands to gain if she becomes Royal Warrant Grantor, Kate Middleton’s new appointment offered a chance to follow in the footsteps of her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana.
Kate Middleton Visits Tŷ Hafan Following Appointment as New Patron
Marking the smooth transition, the Princess dropped by the children’s hospice Tŷ Hafan in Sully, near Cardiff in South Wales, on her first visit as Patron. The royal soon took charge of the visit, chatting smoothly with some of the kids and engaging in heartwarming activities with them, not hesitating to get her hands dirty. The Princess of Wales took part in creative painting with the children, even letting a young girl paint her palm bright red. Replicating an artwork King Charles created during his 2018 visit to the hospice as the then-patron, Kate Middleton stamped the hand print on a piece of paper and signed it “Catherine.”
The royal also interacted with parents and staff at the hospice, while ensuring the kids remained her priority. Speaking to People, director of family wellbeing services, Tracy Jones, who gave Kate Middleton a tour of the children’s hospice, praised the royal for being a natural. She described the visit as an inspiring one, citing the Princess’ impressively heartwarming interactions with the kids. She divulged,
” She crouched down and was straightaway on the level of the children. If they were in a wheelchair she crouched at that level, if they were on the floor she would be at the level. We were seriously impressed with how she could stay in a crouch as it’s not that comfortable!”
Jones described how the new Patron of Tŷ Hafan Kate Middleton instinctively knew the right way to connect with a child without causing any distress. Additionally, the Princess of Wales surprised them by instinctively engaging the children even when conversing with their parents, an invaluable technique for those who work closely with kids. Jones continued,
“For people [who] aren’t used to working with children, the easy temptation is not to engage with the child. The fact that she literally got on the floor and knew she wanted to spend the time that way — she wasn’t looking to any of us for ‘It’s time to move on.’ We were led by her, and she stayed much longer than we expected.”
Kate Could Take On More Royal Positions In the Coming Days
Kate Middleton’s visit to the children’s facility as Patron of Tŷ Hafan Children’s Hospice represents her first trip to the nation since October 2023 and her first official “away day” since her cancer diagnosis. Notably, the Princess spent the most part of 2024 undergoing treatment for cancer and focusing on recovery, greatly reducing her public engagements. Since announcing her remission, Kate Middleton has gradually returned to her royal duties, taking on more responsibilities as her father-in-law King Charles continues battling cancer.
Entrusting Kate Middleton with the duty of Patron of the Children’s hospice comes amid talks of King Charles’ plans to task the princess with more royal responsibilities in the wake of her cancer battle. Sources have claimed the monarch was looking to bestow his daughter-in-law the power to grant royal warrants. This influential position, if granted, would make the mom of three the first Princess of Wales to become a Royal Warrant Grantor in 115 years. Presently, only King Charles holds the power to issue royal warrants within the royal family, and no Princess of Wales has had the position since the time of Queen Mary over a century ago.
