Kate's top priority in cancer journey made clear on emotional visit - expert
The Princess of Wales made a major appearance in Wales this week - and a leading royal expert has explained why the visit made her priorities very clear
The Princess of Wales continued her gradual return to work in a surprise solo visit to South Wales this week - and one thing became very clear for a royal expert.
On Thursday Kate, 43, dropped into TĆ· Hafan, a hospice for youngsters near Cardiff, in what is her first trip to Wales since her cancer diagnosis and treatment and her first solo 'away day' outside of London. TĆ· Hafan - which translates from Welsh to 'Haven House' in English - helps to provide free care and support to children with life-limiting conditions and their families and is the first children's hospice in Wales.
It was a day which focused on some of her most significant passion projects â but if there was one takeaway, it was that it is the princess, 43, who will orchestrate her return to public life as she still has a bigger job to focus on â motherhood.
Standing firm on this subject is something which former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond praises as she tells The Mirror : "I'm sure if you asked Catherine what her most important role in life is at the moment, it would be 'being a mum'. She adores her husband, but her children are the centre of her world and she has thrown herself into bringing them up in what must be a rather confusing environment for a young mind, as normally and lovingly and securely as possible.
Kate at the children's hospice in Wales this week (Image:
Getty Images)"She knows perfectly well that many parents don't have the luxury of choosing to be with their young children all the time. And she, too, is returning to her royal role â but she is lucky enough to be able to do it on her own terms and she is sticking to that. Some will probably criticise her for doing so â but she has decades of duty ahead of her, and, as the Princess Royal recently commented, retirement isnât something that is exactly written into the terms and conditions of being a member of the Royal Family."
With it being made clear by Kensington Palace that the Princess will continue to carry out a reduced diary of engagements following the positive news that her cancer is in remission, it was a delight to see her throwing herself into work that occupies such a special place in her heart.
Thursday started with a visit to the children's hospice, TĆ· Hafan, near Cardiff. The centre first opened in 1999 and works tirelessly to ensure that children with life-shortening conditions lead fulfilling lives while they are supported with the specialist care that they and their family need. Following in the footsteps of Diana, Princess of Wales and King Charles, Catherine was announced as the hospice's new patron and spent her time there talking to youngsters who are receiving care, as well as meeting bereaved families.
Kate paints the hand of four-year-old Maggie (Image:
PA)Elsewhere during her first visit as patron, Catherine, who looked beautiful in a checked dress from Zara with bow detailing, joined a music therapy session after the Palace had arranged for musical instruments to be provided to the hospice to be used in musical therapy sessions in the future. And, before she headed off to her second engagement, she took part in a fun hand-painting session as one of the young patients brushed her hand with red paint.
As a keen advocate for supporting young people and learning about children's mental health, it was especially fitting that her visit took place just before the second anniversary of Shaping Us â an awareness campaign the Princess has called "her life's work" which is dedicated to highlighting the importance of early childhood and the impact the first five years of our lives have on us.
The Princess of Wales launched Shaping Us in 2023 (Image:
PA)Stepping out on January 31st, 2023, she declared "it is more important than ever" to support the development of young children, saying: "The way we develop, through our experiences, relationships and surroundings during our early childhood, fundamentally shapes our whole lives.
"It affects everything from our ability to form relationships and thrive at work, to our mental and physical wellbeing as adults and the way we parent our own children. These are the most preventive years. By focusing our collective time, energy and resources to build a supportive, nurturing world around the youngest members of our society and those caring for them, we can make a huge difference to the health and happiness of generations to come.â
With Kate taking her first big step back into public life, Jennie explains why her devotion to one cause above all others is so inspiring. "It's very encouraging that the Princess is feeling strong enough to carry out several engagements so early in the New Year," she says. "I think we could all bet our bottom dollar that a top priority would be to work with children's organisations again as soon as possible.
"This is not just lip service to a cause; early development is a passion for Catherine: something she believes profoundly as a key to a happier, more secure future for the young generation of today. She is now an acknowledged expert in this field and has every day experience of childhood development by bringing up her own three children in a very hands-on way."
Referring to the way the Princess has harnessed all she has learnt and used it in raising her young family, Jennie adds: "Even before she was diagnosed with cancer, Catherine was making it clear that her young family must take precedence over non-stop royal duties, especially while they are young. Following her treatment, she is even more determined to stand by her belief that early years of a childâs life are the most vital and influential in their future development.â
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