Kate was in a Hobbs suit for today’s visit to the EACH (East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices) hospice in Quidenham, Norfolk, about 40 miles from Anmer Hall.
Kate was given a ‘portrait’ by one of the schoolchildren greeting her when she arrived, the little girl in the purple jacket.
On the picture it says “Princess Kate It is an honour to meet you. Love from Lily.”
The Duchess was then greeted by 5-year-old Nell Cork who presented her with a bouquet. Nell’s brother Finnbar died last year.
Richard Perry of The Express reported that “The Duchess of Cambridge told bereaved parents Tristan and Claire Cork: “I’m a mother and I can’t imagine what you’ve been through.” Below, Kate with Mr. Cork, who is holding Lily.
Being welcomed by officials.
The Duchess met with staff, volunteers, families, and donors.
More from Simon Perry’s People story:
“She got down on peoples’ levels. She made a point of crouching when she was talking with children so she was at eye level and she sat with the bereaved family, she didn¹t stand over them, she sat comfortably and had a good open body language. She’s good at putting people at ease and hear their stories,” Jane Campbell, the service manager at the hospital, tells PEOPLE.
From the Eastern DailyPress:
Michaels Benton’s six-year-old daughter Isabella, who has a number of neurological conditions including complex refractory epilepsy, has used the services at EACH for four years.
Mrs Benton, from Dereham, said: “It is amazing we met Kate. At the nook appeal launch we met her and she remembered.
Taking part in an art therapy session with 6-year-old Isabella Benton.
©Adrian Dennis/WPA Rota/Nunn Syndication/Polaris)
A short video from that activity.
Kate joins in with an @EACH_hospices art therapy session. A lot of glitter! pic.twitter.com/9qQlMkd4rp
— Victoria Murphy (@QueenVicMirror) January 24, 2017
Kate has been the EACH royal patron since January of 2012; it is one of the first charities she took on as patron.
The Duchess also received an update on The Nook Appeal, a £10 million fundraising effort for a new hospice that would replace the existing Quidenham facility. Quidenham is one of the oldest hospices in the UK, with restricted accessibility and other constraints. A new hospice would offer things like more overnight accommodations, more private family support areas, and treatments such as hydrotherapy. If you are interested in donating, click here. This rendering offers a look at a design for the new hospice.
EACH
EACH has raised almost £5 million of the £10 million needed for the construction of the new facility. Here you see Kate at the November 2014 launch of the Nook Appeal.
And at last June’s gala fundraiser for The Nook.
Now for a closer look at what Kate wore for today’s engagement.
The Duchess was in the Sinead jacket and skirt from Hobbs, pieces that are past season and no longer available.
The collarless jacket is fitted, with an exposed front zipper, peplum detail on the back, and decorative pocket flaps. The pieces are made from an Italian fabric that is a blend of wool, acrylic, and polyester, in a color Hobbs calls ‘evergreen.’ The skirt is a basic pencil style with a back zipper and slit. Our thanks to Carly of Kate Middleton Style for her speedy ID of the suit.
Kate wore the Gerard Darel ‘Josephine’ blouse in ‘beige’ silk.
A better view of the collar.
The blouse features a frilled collar with a black bow and buttoned cuffs. Originally £175, it is on sale for £105, about $130. Thank you, Middleton Maven, for identifying this blouse! (We have a repliKate here.)
Gerard Darel
Kate accessorized with her Gianvito Rossi black suede pumps.
©Net-a-Porter/i-Images
And her Bayswater Wallet clutch by Mulberry.
The Duchess was also wearing her Kiki McDonough Pink Morganite earrings.
Kate waves goodbye.
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A quick reminder: don’t forget to vote in the favorite new shoes poll!
LINKAGE:
- Visit the EACH website here, follow EACH on Facebook here, or here on Twitter; you can read more about the Nook here, and follow the EACH Nook Appeal on Twitter here
- You can also watch a video here about the naming of the new hospice, and/or take a virtual walk-through of the plans for The Nook here; the EACH news release about today’s engagement may be read here
- Rebecca English’s Daily Mail story is here; Victoria Murphy’s story for The Mirror is here; Richard Palmer’s story for The Express is here
- Simon Perry’s People magazine story is here; Pop Sugar’s oversize photo gallery is here
Mary
Monday 20th of February 2017
I love the peter pan collar! It's darling! The pink earrings are so cute!
ashly
Friday 27th of January 2017
This is nice but I'm confused. Doesn't she own a similar green look? The green Erdem zip up coat dress? Oh well. Her hair looks amazing. I would not be upset if she'd stop carrying her clutches in front of her all the time.
Katie
Friday 27th of January 2017
I like the green Hobbs suit! It reminds me of Diana's classic, tailored suits when she changed from 20-something Sloane Ranger to 30-something "working" princess. Her business attire showed her growing confidence as she became more expert at using her celebrity to support her charities. I remember looking at her photos when I wanted to create a professional look for work after pretty much living in jeans during college. The only thing I would have changed about Kate's ensemble is the top. I think a black turtleneck would have been cleaner with the jacket zipped up. However, if Kate intended to open or take off her jacket once inside then her blouse adds a nice feminine touch.
Katie
Friday 27th of January 2017
P.S. Adore those pretty pink earrings but not with this ensemble. Some black & white earrings or green, black & white earrings might have helped tie together all the colors of the green (goes with her eyes) suit, white blouse with (so charming) black detail, and black suede heels (want ALL of her Gianvito Rossi stilettos!) and matching clutch. Also, love her hair & make up at this event!
Margaret
Thursday 26th of January 2017
Contrary to many I like this suit - the style and colour are wonderful on Kate IMO. I struggled with the blouse initially and would not choose it myself but Kate manages to make it work and it adds a feminine touch to a workmanlike outfit. As someone who cannot wear high heels I am in awe of Kate's ability to walk and move so elegantly in these shoes. I probably would choose a slightly lower heel for this outfit but I still enjoy the way Kate has styled her look. I suspect that in person Kate looked great and her warmth and interest were exactly what this visit was all about.
Clare
Thursday 26th of January 2017
Not a favourite for me. The skirt looks too tight and and is far too figure-hugging which makes it look a bit cheap. The model in the Hobbs picture wears the skirt far better. I don't see why Kate has to wear such tight clothes on occasions. We can all see that her figure is amazing, the clothes do not have to be spray-on. I personally would have preferred to see the jacket and shirt worn with some gorgeous black trousers. I also would have worn the Kiki Mcdonough green ameythest and diamond drop earrings rather than the morganite ones. Must be nice to be able to colour co-ordinate your fine jewellery to your choice of outfit for the day! That said, I adore the Duchess and love this site where like-minded people can discuss the finer details of every piece of her wardrobe. Just wouldn't be able to talk about "What Kate Wore" to family, friends and work colleagues as they wouldn't share my passion.