Princess of Wales named Tŷ Hafan patron after visit
Catherine, Princess of Wales has been named patron of a children's hospice on a visit to south Wales. She visited Tŷ Hafan in Sully, Vale of Glamorgan, to meet children with life-shortening conditions and their families. The princess has followed in the footsteps of Diana, Princess of Wales and the King to become the figurehead of the organisation. Kensington Palace said she was looking forward to building a close relationship with the hospice and those it serves.
"We are deeply honoured that Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales has become patron of Tŷ Hafan," said Irfon Rees, the charity's chief executive. "It was an absolute pleasure to welcome Her Royal Highness to our hospice for the first time today."As our patron, Her Royal Highness will be an inspiration for children with life-shortening conditions and their families, our dedicated staff and volunteers and everyone who so generously supports us."
Thursday's unannounced trip is her second this week as she continues to make a phased return to royal duties after completing a bout of chemotherapy last summer. Catherine made a surprise appearance at official commemorations, attended by the Prince of Wales, marking Holocaust Memorial Day on Monday. Later she is expected to undertake another visit in south Wales celebrating excellence in Welsh textiles manufacturing.The flurry of royal engagements this week is not thought to indicate that the princess is fully back to work but continuing her gradual resumption of official duties.
Kensington Palace said the first patronage Catherine took on after becoming a Member of The Royal Family was EACH (East Anglia's Children's Hospice) and she maintained a close relationship with the organisation.They also added the wellbeing of children and their families had always been close to the princess' heart. And that she's looking forward to building a similar relationship with Tŷ Hafan and the children and families it serves in Wales.The hospice was founded in 1999 by Suzanne Goodall, after a fundraising campaign lasting more than a decade, when she discovered there was no children's hospice in Wales.Tŷ Hafan – which is Welsh for Haven House – provides free care and support to children with life-shortening conditions and their families, both within the hospice and in homes and communities in Wales.Diana was patron during the fundraising phase and Charles first took up the role in 2001.
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