The Princess of Wales made an unexpected appearance on the eve of her birthday, joining the Prince of Wales on a visit to show support for NHS staff in London.
Kate accompanied William — who had initially been scheduled to attend alone — to Charing Cross Hospital on Thursday, marking their first public engagement of 2026.
The princess, who turns 44 on Friday, “wanted to join her husband to show her support for the NHS and to thank the teams at Charing Cross for their efforts” during what has been a challenging winter period, Kensington Palace said.
The visit came just days ahead of the first anniversary of the Princess’s announcement at the start of 2025 that she was in remission from cancer.
During the engagement, the Prince and Princess met volunteers from Imperial Health Charity, whose work helps improve patient care and ease pressure on the wider NHS workforce.
One volunteer, who supports people undergoing chemotherapy, spoke to William and Kate about her role, explaining: “People will sit there for hours.”
Kate responded quietly, saying “I know,” before gently touching William’s shoulder and adding, “you know.”
Kate was last seen publicly on Christmas Day, when she joined William and their children — Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis — alongside the wider Royal Family for the traditional walk to church at Sandringham in Norfolk.
The couple are looking ahead to a fresh start in 2026 following Kate’s cancer journey. This comes after a significant change last autumn, when they moved from Adelaide Cottage into their new home, Forest Lodge — a Grade II-listed, eight-bedroom property in Windsor Great Park.
William and Kate are joint patrons of NHS Charities Together, and Kensington Palace said the visit was intended to “recognise the incredible work of NHS staff during a challenging winter period.”
During the engagement, the couple surprised healthcare workers during their tea break and spent time speaking with them about the pressures they faced throughout the winter virus season.
Kate, who wore her hair loose and carried a small handbag, opted for a fashionable burgundy trouser suit paired with a matching blouse. William complemented her look in a V-neck jumper layered over a shirt and tie, finished with his suit jacket.
The couple met NHS staff in a break room funded by Imperial Health Charity, a member of the umbrella organisation NHS Charities Together. The charity supports all five hospitals within Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust through grants, arts programmes, and volunteering initiatives.
William and Kate later took part in a roundtable discussion with NHS charity chief executives, trustees, policymakers, and philanthropists, focusing on the vital role philanthropy plays within the NHS.
The Prince and Princess of Wales became patrons of NHS Charities Together in 2020, at the height of the Covid pandemic. The organisation represents more than 220 NHS charities across NHS Trusts and Health Boards throughout the UK.
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