The Prince and Princess of Wales have made their first official engagement of 2026, paying a surprise visit to a London hospital to personally thank frontline NHS staff.
Unannounced Winter Visit to Show Support
On Tuesday, 8th January 2026, Prince William and a last-minute joining Kate Middleton arrived unannounced at Charing Cross Hospital in West London. The visit, which came after the royal couple's Christmas break, was specifically intended to recognise the immense pressure on the National Health Service during the difficult winter period.
A spokesperson from Kensington Palace stated that the Princess, who turns 44 on Wednesday, "wanted to join her husband to show her support for the NHS and to thank the teams at Charing Cross for their efforts." The couple spent time meeting with healthcare professionals, volunteers, and patients, catching many staff during their tea breaks.
Meeting Staff and Highlighting Charity Work
During the engagement, William and Kate spoke candidly with staff about the challenges they face during the busy winter virus season. They also met volunteers from the Imperial Health Charity, an organisation that works to improve patient care and support the wider hospital workforce.
In one poignant moment, a volunteer who supports chemotherapy patients explained how people often sit for hours during treatment. Kate responded empathetically, saying "I know," before touching William's shoulder and adding "you know."
The visit also served to highlight the work of NHS Charities Together, for which the Prince and Princess serve as joint patrons—a role they took on during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Discussing the Future of NHS Philanthropy
The royal engagement concluded with a roundtable discussion involving NHS charity CEOs, trustees, policy makers, and philanthropists. The focus was on the critical role of philanthropy in supporting the National Health Service.
This public appearance holds particular significance for the Princess of Wales, as it comes just days before the first anniversary of her January 2025 announcement that she was in remission from cancer.
