On Thursday 22nd October, The Princess of Wales returned to The Treehouse in Ipswich – the children’s hospice where she gave her first public speech as a member of the Royal Family, 14 years ago.
As Royal Patron of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH), which runs The Treehouse, she toured the building work that will add a hydrotherapy pool and new therapy suites to the site. She also sat beside patient Charlotte Freebard at the piano, while Charlotte performed Ed Sheeran’s ‘Perfect’, and spent time with mothers who have lost a child.
EACH’s CEO, Kevin Clement, described the visit as a ‘full circle moment’. The Princess opened The Treehouse in March 2012, two months after EACH was announced as one of her first patronages following her marriage to Prince William, and she has remained closely involved with the charity ever since.
Embed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty ImagesEmbed from Getty Images
The organisation provides care and family support for babies, children and young people facing life-threatening conditions, including respite and palliative care; EACH helps over 500 families and some 850 young people and children across three sites (The Treehouse, The Nook, and Milton).
Donning a hard hat and an orange protective vest, the royal visitor got a closer look at improvements being made at The Treehouse location, which will include a hydrotherapy pool and therapy suites, a dedicated space for teenagers, activity space and more facilities, like kitchen, dining and a bedroom.
The previous hospice was too small to meet demand from the surrounding counties, and so the new building was funded by donors to the Treehouse Appeal, to facilitate more meaningful time together for families, plus opportunities for play and exploring.
The work is expected to be completed in spring 2028, with EACH continuing to fundraise for both the development and the day-to-day care and support the Treehouse provides for around 185 children, young people, and family members. In March, the charity said it had £4 million; they have another 12 months to meet their goal of £6.3 million.
Catherine then took the time to speak to mothers and relatives who have lost a child. Here, she showed ‘a great deal of empathy with them all individually. It was extremely sensitively done,’ said Clement, referring to Catherine as a ‘class act’. The mother-of-three was seen hugging some of those in the session.
The Princess also spent time with children benefiting from EACH’s holistic approach to care, such as their creative therapies. She undertook a music lesson alongside patient, Charlotte Freegard, showing her enthusiastic approval for the performance afterwards.
‘Charlotte, that was beautifully sung. Well done, you,’ Catherine said.
Next came a look at the facility’s light sensory room.
Four-year-old Primrose met the Royal; she has a rare congenital heart defect, leading to three heart surgeries since she was just six days old. The Princess shared: ‘Super brave girl and brave parents, too.’
To end her day, Catherine stopped by Café 98, EACH’s first and only cafe in nearby Wroxham. All profits from the cafe go back to supporting the hospice and its mission. There, Catherine chatted to volunteers, local patrons, and viewed the donation sorting room before the items go on sale. She was shown how to value clothes donated by the public and resold in store.
Speaking to some cafe visitors, the Princess revealed she enjoys charity shopping herself: ‘You never know what you’re going to find – that’s what’s so nice. It feels a bit more like a treasure hunt.’
She also added that she had missed eldest son Prince George, who started school at Eton College last month. Locals Denise Ashton, 68, and Essie Landsborough, 75, were in the cafe when Catherine came over for a chat, reports the BBC. Ashton shared: ‘She said she’s looking forward to George coming home – she’s missed him.’
One volunteer, Jessica Andrews, said meeting the future Queen was the ‘best opportunity ever’, according to the BBC. ‘She’s ever so lovely, very bubbly, down to earth,’ Andrews – who gives her time three days a week – added.
