Princess Kate Meets Daughter Charlotte’s Namesake During Heartwarming Hospice Visit

Princess Kate's latest hospice visit brings a sweet encounter with a young girl named Charlotte.

Princess Kate has returned to the Suffolk children's hospice, visiting The Treehouse in Ipswich on October 22, as it undergoes a major expansion to support more families. The Princess of Wales, who has been the royal patron of East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH) since 2012, spent time with children and their families during the visit, including meeting a young girl who shares her daughter, Princess Charlotte's, name during a music session.

During her visit, Kate spent time with children and families receiving care at The Treehouse, learning more about the support they get there. She heard about the hospice's creative therapies, including music therapy, and how these activities help make a difference to the children and their families.

Among the children the Princess of Wales met was a 12-year-old, Charlotte Freegard, who shares her daughter's name. Charlotte has been receiving care from EACH since 2021 and lives with nemaline myopathy, a rare muscle disorder that causes weakness throughout the body, particularly in the face, neck, and limbs.

Kate got to see music therapy in action when Charlotte sat down at the piano to play for her. She also had a look around the hospice's sensory room, a space decorated in soothing purple hues.

Kate began her visit by checking out the hospice's ongoing expansion project, which will introduce several new and improved facilities to The Treehouse. The plans include a hydrotherapy pool, a wellbeing and therapy suite, an expanded area for care activities, a dedicated space for teenagers, an additional bedroom, and larger kitchen and dining areas.

The project is expected to be completed in 2028. Additionally, the Princess learned about EACH's ongoing fundraising efforts to make the expansion possible while continuing to provide essential day-to-day care for children and their families.

Previously, Kate planted a tree at the hospice and spoke about the difference it makes to families going through difficult times. As per Daily Mail, she said, “Today I have seen again that the Treehouse is all about family and fun. For many, this is a home from home—a lifeline enabling families to live as normally as possible during a very precious period of time.”