Princess Kate made a surprise visit to Evelina London Children's Hospital on July 6, 2026, where she blew kisses to sick children receiving treatment for cancer. The Princess of Wales, patron of the hospital since 2018, spent the afternoon learning about how the hospital integrates specialist expertise with family-centred support.
Warm Encounters with Young Patients
Kate was welcomed by chief executive Gubby Ayida and began her tour on the Edward ward, a new children's cardiac ward at St Thomas' Hospital. She enchanted patients and parents, including a young boy who asked, "Are you the Queen?" She replied, "No, I am the Princess of Wales."
Ejran, 10, who has been in hospital for a month with serious cardiac problems, gave her a thumbs up and called the encounter "amazing." He added, "I want to meet the King now." The princess also met Hope Turnbull, 14, who had suffered a heart relapse and collapsed at home but hoped to go home soon.
Tour of New Facilities
Kate visited the Galaxy Ward, a new outpatients unit with a Children's Day Centre offering heart clinic appointments and diagnostic tests. She then went to the atrium to meet the children's cancer programme team, which is planning to move a specialist cancer and blood and marrow transplant service to the future Children's Cancer Principal Treatment Centre at Evelina.
"I can't believe the change in three years," she said, referring to her last visit. "It's lovely to have these spaces where you can connect."
Expansion Plans
Evelina London is expanding to meet demand, with a new hospital building expected to open in the early 2030s. The expansion includes collaboration with The Royal Marsden and St George's Hospital to centralise specialist cancer services for children in south London and South East England. The new centre will provide intensive care and key cancer surgery in one location.
Last year, Catherine celebrated the charity's 20th anniversary with a message: "As Patron of Evelina, I'm delighted to join everyone at Evelina London Children's Hospital in celebrating the 20th anniversary of its iconic hospital building. Looking ahead, I am filled with hope for Evelina's future. As it continues to grow, even more children will benefit from the world-class care that defines Evelina, a place where healing begins with connection, and every child is cherished."
