The Princess of Wales visits
Evelina London Picture by Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace /
Flickr
The Princess of Wales paid a visit to the Evelina London
Children’s Hospital on Monday, charming the patients, blowing
kisses, and getting mistaken for Queen Camilla’s daughter.
Catherine’s visit was billed as an opportunity to learn about
advancements in patient care and family support at the children’s
hospital, and to learn about its visions for the future as it
launches a funding appeal for a new building.
According to Evelina London, Catherine visited the Edward Ward,
which houses children’s cardiac patients, and the Galaxy
Outpatients space, where young people attend cardiac outpatient
clinics and diagnostic appointments.
As Catherine made the rounds meeting with young patients, she
took the time to chat with them about their diagnoses and their
time at the hospital, and to reassure their families.
Ten-year-old Erjan asked Catherine if she was The Queen’s
daughter as he received a handshake, prompting her to reply that
she was, instead, The Princess of Wales.
The future queen turned the conversation back to Erjan, telling
him, “I’ve come to see the amazing work that is going on here,
meet special children, very brave children, like
yourself.”
She also revealed that Prince George, Princess Charlotte and
Prince Louis all love the movie Shrek after Erjan shared
that some of his favourite songs are featured on its
soundtrack.
Catherine also blew a kiss to three-year-old Arjun, which his
mother, Mandy, said “was a really special moment for our
family,” in a statement shared on Evelina London’s official website.
“It was absolutely amazing to meet Her Royal Highness. She
was really interested in why Arjun has been admitted for so long,
his progress and how we’re coping. She took the time to speak to us
and made us feel very at ease.”
Catherine also learned how Evelina London aims to become a
specialist provider for children’s cancer, and blood and marrow
transplant services, in south London and southeast England. The aim
is to provide a wide range of specialist services in one
location.
“[The
Princess of Wales’s] visit provided an opportunity to share our
vision for the future and demonstrate how we are bringing together
exceptional specialist children’s services to provide the very best
care for children, young people and their families,” said
Gubby Ayida, the CEO of Evelina London Women’s and Children’s
Clinical Group, in a statement on Evelina London’s official website.
The Princess of Wales became
royal patron of Evelina London in December 2018.
