Kate praises children at hospice music session

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 15:32 · Archive

The Princess of Wales visited The Treehouse hospice in Ipswich, where she heard children with life-limiting conditions play music.

The Princess of Wales visited The Treehouse hospice in Ipswich on Thursday, spending nearly an hour talking to children and families. Kate, who is patron of East Anglia's Children's Hospices, previously opened the hospice in March 2012. The unit provides short breaks and palliative support for children and young people with life-limiting conditions, as well as bereavement support for families.

During the visit, Kate toured the music therapy room and a sensory room equipped with special lighting, a water bed and a projector. She met 13-year-old Charlotte Freegard, who has a rare genetic muscle disorder called nemaline myopathy. As Charlotte sang Ed Sheeran's 'Perfect' at the piano, Kate applauded and told her she was 'brilliant' and that the performance was 'beautifully sung'. Kate also asked Charlotte about expressing herself through music, to which the teenager replied: 'Definitely.'

The princess met four-year-old Primrose Harvey, who has hypoplastic right-heart syndrome, a rare congenital heart defect. Primrose's mother Katie told Kate that her daughter has had three heart surgeries, including one at six days old and another two weeks prior. Katie said it was 'lovely' to speak to the Princess of Wales and that 'it's really nice for her to come here and see first-hand how much they do for families.'

How it is being reported

• Kate serenaded by 'brilliant' teenager with rare condition on moving hospice visitThe Princess of Wales visited The Treehouse hospice in Ipswich today, where she spent time talking to children and their families who are receiving care thereThe Mirror · 22 Oct, 15:21
• Kate hears of power of music during visit to children’s hospiceThe princess, who is the patron of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices, spent nearly an hour talking to children and families.Evening Standard · 22 Oct, 14:00

In this story: Kate · Princess of Wales · East Anglia's Children's Hospices · The Treehouse hospice · Ipswich · Charlotte Freegard · Primrose Harvey

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