Breaking news: Kate breaks her silence after pulling out of Royal Ascot – as she issues poignant statement about a cause close to her heart… Read more

Breaking news: Kate breaks her silence after pulling out of Royal Ascot – as she issues poignant statement about a cause close to her heart… Read more

The Princess of Wales has released a personal message about a cause close to her heart after pulling out of Royal Ascot earlier this week.

Kate, 43, today issued a heartfelt note to mark Children’s Hospice Week after deciding not to join her husband Prince William at the Berkshire races as expected on Wednesday.

She was said to be ‘disappointed’ at not attending the famous social and sporting occasion with her husband Prince William and the King and Queen.

Today, the Princess released a personal message celebrating the ‘life-changing work’ children’s hospices do and thanking them for the vital care they provide to ‘children and families experiencing the most challenging times’.

The princess has been Royal Patron of East Anglia Children’s Hospices (EACH) since 2012, and in January this year became the Royal Patron of Tŷ Hafan Children’s Hospice in South Wales.

The highly emotional note, which was signed by the princess, was shared on social media by Tŷ Hafan and children’s hospice charity Together for Short Lives, the charity for children’s palliative care.

Kate said: ‘No parent expects to hear that their child has a serious health condition that could shorten their life.

‘Sadly, this is the reality faced by thousands of families across the country, leaving them heart-broken, fearful of the future and often desperately isolated.

Being able to access the support of one of the UK’s 54 children’s hospices means they don’t have to face that future alone.’

The mother-of-three had visited the hospice in January – marking her first royal ‘away day’ since 2023 as part of her slow and steady return to royal duties following her treatment for cancer.

In her note today, she added: ‘As Patron of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices and Tŷ Hafan Children’s Hospice in South Wales, I have the immense privilege of seeing for myself the extraordinary work of our children’s hospices.

‘Lifting spirits through laughter, fun and play, as well as listening, holding, caring and sharing, they support children and families through life, death and beyond.

This Children’s Hospice Week, I hope you will join me in celebrating the life-changing work they do and thanking them for the vital care they provide to children and families experiencing the most challenging times.’

Nick Carroll, CEO of Together for Short Lives, said: ‘We are incredibly grateful to The Princess of Wales for celebrating Children’s Hospice Week, and the amazing work of children’s hospices, with her personal message of support this year.

Her ongoing support for Children’s Hospice Week over many years has helped to raise much-needed awareness of the life-changing work children’s hospices do, every day of the year.

Their extraordinary lifeline care for children with life-limiting and life-threatening illnesses enables families to make the most of their lives together, whether that’s for years, months or only hours.

‘Together with all the children’s hospices we thank The Princess of Wales for her invaluable contribution.’

Children’s Hospice Week is the only week of the year dedicated to raising awareness of children’s hospice services, and this year runs until Sunday, June 22.

Earlier this week, the Princess of Wales pulled out of attending Royal Ascot at the last minute as she continues to ‘find the right balance’ following her battle with cancer.

Racegoers had been hoping to see the Princess after the Prince of Wales was named as one of the figures awarding race prizes during the second day of the meet.

Ascot officials had confirmed at 12pm that the Princess was due to be in the second carriage in the royal procession with William, in a published carriage list.

But less than half an hour later, Kensington Palace confirmed just before 12.30pm that Kate would not be attending – and a revised carriage list was published by Ascot.

MailOnline understands the Princess was ‘disappointed’ not to be in attendance ‘but she has to find the right balance as she fully returns to public facing engagements’.

However, Kate’s mother Carole Middleton did attend Ascot, wearing a dress from luxury women’s designer ME+EM – alongside her daughter-in-law Alizee Thevenet, the wife of Kate’s brother James Middleton.

The 43-year-old Princess has been making a gradual return to public duties since it was announced in January that she was in remission from cancer.

But in the past week she has attended three high-profile events – Trooping the Colour, the annual Order of the Garter service and a visit to a V&A storage facility in London.

The Princess revealed in January she was in remission from cancer after making an emotional return to the specialist cancer institution, the Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea, London, where she was treated to comfort fellow patients.

She had been receiving chemotherapy for an undisclosed form of cancer since late February last year with the King beginning his cancer care earlier that month following his diagnosis after treatment for an enlarged prostate.

Announcing in September her treatment had ended, Kate described in an emotional video message how the previous nine months had been ‘incredibly tough for us as a family’ and ‘doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus’.

William later said in a separate interview how 2024 had been ‘brutal’.

Today, Irfon Rees, Chief Executive of Tŷ Hafan Children’s Hospice said: ‘We are deeply grateful to The Princess of Wales, Patron of Tŷ Hafan Children’s Hospice, for her incredible support.

‘Her Royal Highness is clearly profoundly committed to the needs of children and young people, and in January, during her first visit to our hospice as our Patron, her kindness and empathy were evident.

Having HRH’s support during Children’s Hospice Week means that not only can we take time to celebrate the difference that children’s hospices, including Tŷ Hafan, have made to the lives of so many families, but that we can also remind people of the importance of supporting their local children’s hospice so that no family has to live their child’s short life alone.’

Kevin Clements, Chief Executive of EACH added: ‘We’re so incredibly grateful for The Princess’ invaluable contribution as our dedicated Royal Patron.

Her ongoing support and vast profile have projected our charity onto the global stage and this latest message is a perfect way to mark Children’s Hospice Week.

‘It’s a great opportunity to shine a light on the work of children’s hospices generally, as well as giving us an opportunity to raise awareness and remind everyone of the need for public support, given we rely on donations for the majority of our income.’

In January, Kate ‘proudly’ announced her new patronage on a visit to south Wales.

Arriving at children’s hospice Tŷ Hafan. Catherine, 43, donned a checked dress from Zara with pussybow detailing and wore her hair in loose waves hanging down her shoulders, before being greeted by a member of staff.