- The Duchess of Cambridge was in Norfolk to launch an appeal on behalf of East Anglia Children's Hospices
- She welled up as she hugged Leigh Smith, 33, whose daughter Beatrice was just 16 weeks old when she died
- Mother's story moved the Duchess so much, she welled up and threw her arms around her
- Mrs Smith's little daughter Beatrice would have been celebrating her first birthday this Friday
- She also thanked the Duchess for the personal letter she sent after hearing of Beatrice's death in January
- The Duchess has been patron of East Anglia Children's Hospices since 2012
A
tearful Duchess of Cambridge flung her arms around a mother who lost her
three-month-old daughter to a rare heart condition after hearing her
speak about the little girl's final weeks in the care of East Anglia
Children's Hospices staff.
Kate,
who is pregnant with her second child, put her arms around a trembling
Leigh Smith, 33, whose baby daughter, Beatrice, died in January and
told her that she was a 'brave lady'.
‘Kate
sought me out and gave me a hug just before she left,' said Mrs Smith
afterwards. ‘I was getting quite teary-eyed, she had tears in her eyes
and she just said to me: "You're a very brave lady and again, I'm just
so, so sorry".’
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Sombre: The Duchess was driven away looking visibly upset after meeting a mother who lost her child at three months old
Emotional:
The Duchess of Cambridge attended a fundraising event for a children's
hospice at the Norfolk Showground, near Norwich
Much loved: Baby Beatrice Smith,
pictured with her mother Leigh, 33, was just three months old when she
died at the Quidenham Hospice
Heartbroken: Leigh Smith was left griefstricken after her baby daughter Beatrice died of a rare heart condition last January
Touching: During the launch, the
Duchess heard from parents who, like Mrs Smith, have desperately ill
children who need the hospices
Touched: The Duchess was introduced to a group of terminally ill children as well as Mrs Smith (right) while visiting Norfolk
Fighter: The Duchess meets Jack Cottis, six, from Colchester, who suffered a brain haemorrhage in the womb
Brave: The Duchess of Cambridge speaks to the mother of Aimee Benton, seven, who presented her with a posy
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The
Duchess was attending the launch of a fundraising campaign to help East
Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH), of which she is royal patron, build
a new £10 million facility in Norfolk.
Dressed
in a scarlet Katherine Hooker dress and with her hair pulled stylishly
off her face, the radiant royal looked to have beaten the severe
antenatal sickness that has plagued the early weeks of her pregnancy.
Like
any mother-to-be, however, she couldn’t hold her own emotions in check
as she listened intently to Mrs Leigh’s touching story about the work
EACH’s existing hospices do.
Describing
how her much-loved daughter, Beatrice Octavia Iris, was born on
November 28 last year, the 33-year-old physiotherapist from Norwich went
on to explain how her family’s world was shattered when she was rushed
into hospital back in January.
She
was diagnosed with restrictive cardiomyopathy – a rare heart condition –
and after six weeks in hospital it became tragically clear that
Beatrice would more than likely die before a new heart could be found
for her.
Mrs
Smith told her hushed audience: ‘It became clear that Beatrice was
dying and would be unlikely to survive long enough or be strong enough
for a heart transplant. We knew our little girl was just too tired and
could fight her battle no longer.’
On
February 24 - just 89 days after she was born - Mrs Smith and her
husband, Toby, made the heart-breaking decision to allow their brave
little girl to slip away peacefully.
Adorable: Two-year-old Daisy Benton,
whose sister Isabella, four, has a number of neurological conditions,
looks up at the Duchess
Important work: The Duchess has been involved with the charity, which helps terminally ill children, since 2012
Risky: Kate was shown a new ceramics range being sold in aid of the appeal but worried about dropping the teapot
Emotional: The Duchess of Cambridge was helping to launch a fundraising appeal on behalf of East Anglia Children's Hospices
‘After
a long night holding her in our arms, we made the decision to let her
go,’ she said. ‘She passed away in my arms very peacefully holding mine
and her daddy’s hands.’
EACH
made arrangements for Beatrice’s little body to be taken to its
existing Quidenham Hospice, close to the family’s Norfolk home. ‘She
arrived in a Moses basket and had her own room with her name on the door
and was cared for with such respect and dignity,’ Mrs Smith tearfully
recalled.
‘As
a parent she couldn’t have asked for a better way to say goodbye in the
worst of all situations. She looked angelic. There can never be enough
thank yous or words to express our gratitude. EACH has given us the best
in the worst possible situation.'
The
hospice staff helped the grieving couple with Beatrice’s funeral
arrangements as they and their four-year-old son, Elliot, prepared to
say goodbye. Even now the couple is receiving support from the charity,
attending counselling sessions and support groups.
She
also revealed how, in the difficult days after her daughter’s death,
she wrote a letter to the Duchess praising the hospice staff. In return,
she received a personal reply from Kate.
‘I was so surprised to receive a letter with such personal comments and
signed by her,' she said. ‘It was a lovely gesture and helped me
through a terrible time.
’I
was touched that she had taken so much time to carefully read my letter
and then to reply herself - it shows how much she cares. When I met her
today she remembered the letter and said it was an honour to meet me. I
was completely taken aback - for me it was an honour to meet her.’
Mrs
Smith, whose daughter would have celebrated her first birthday on
Friday, added: ‘I had mixed feelings about today because it's a
difficult time, but this is the most amazing way of celebrating her
birthday and I hope Beatrice was looking down as I met Kate.
‘The
launch today is a wonderful way to celebrate her life. I just want to
do Beatrice proud. You can't put a price on what EACH have given to
every one of us here.’
New home: The event was held at the Norfolk Showground, which is just a few miles from the Duchess' new home at Anmer Hall
That's how you do it! A pair of delighted schoolgirls sweep into a curtsey as they're introduced to a beaming Kate
Lovely to meet you: The Duchess was greeted by a group of excited children, including some whose siblings use EACH hospices
Quick chat:
She stopped to speak to the children as she made her way into a charity
launch on behalf of East Anglia Children's Hospices
Earlier,
the Duchess was all smiles as a little girl swept her a cheeky
curtsey before presenting her with a bunch of flowers as she arrived at
the event, which was held on behalf of the East Anglia Children's
Hospices Appeal.
Cerys
Emeeith-Burley, seven, and Caitlyn Brazier, eight, are both pupils at
the local Queen's Hill primary school and said they had been practising
for their big moment for weeks.
'She
said "are you missing school for this?" and we told her we had been
practising curtseying at school,' revealed a delighted Cerys
afterwards.
With
the Duchess's help, EACH is spearheading a £10 million fundraising
appeal to build and equip a new children's hospice for families in
Norfolk. Its current hospice in Quidenham is one of the oldest in the UK
is described by the charity as being 'extremely restricted' in its
facilities and development.
Should
the fundraising drive prove successful, a new hospice named The Nook
will be built on a woodland plot near the village of Framingham Earl.
Kate
has played an active role in the campaign and introduced ceramics
manufacturer Emma Bridgewater to EACH and suggested a range of mugs
could be designed to support the fundraising campaign.
As
she was shown the designs for the first time during the event and
handed a giant teapot, Kate, who was wearing a Katherine Hooker dress
and Jimmy Choo shoes, quipped: 'I’ll probably drop it'.
She
also crouched down to meet Jack Cottis, six, from Colchester, who
suffered a brain haemorrhage in the womb and has a range of associated
conditions, including blindness. His sister died from the same
undiagnosed genetic condition at the age of three.
Lady in red: The Duchess of Cambridge wore her hair in a ponytail and sported a glamorous Katherine Hooker dress
Chilly: Despite the less than lovely weather in Norfolk, the Duchess braved the elements and arrived without a coat
Glamorous: The Duchess showed off the merest hint of a baby bump beneath her Katherine Hooker dress
Turn out: The charity hopes to raise £10 million which they will use to fund the building of a new hospice
Stylish: Despite being an estimated 18 weeks pregnant, the Duchess was as slender as ever in her red Katherine Hooker dress
Big event: The Duchess has been patron of East Anglia Children's Hospices (EACH) since 2012
His
mother Tracy Cottis, 48, is a patient trustee at the charity. 'I met
Kate when she visited Ipswich and her passion for the charity is clear
for all to see,' said Mrs Cottis.
The
Duchess also met Michala and Roger Benton and their daughter Isabella,
four, who has a number of neurological conditions, and their other
children, Aimee, seven, Daisy, two, and Molly, seven months.
Mr Benton said: 'She asked what services we use and how the new hospice will help us and said we had a lovely family.'
In
a message on the eve of her visit, the Duchess spoke of her pride at
being involved in the charity which supports children with
life-threatening conditions and their families.
She
said: 'I greatly admire the dedication, generosity and achievements of
the charity’s supporters and volunteers, and look forward to seeing the
progress of this campaign.'
Chief
executive of EACH, Graham Butland, said: 'We’re really excited about
the launch of The Nook appeal today and it’s great to be able to share
our vision publicly.
'Everyone
at EACH is honoured and extremely proud to have the Duchess of
Cambridge as Royal Patron and delighted she is able to join us today as
we share our vision for The Nook.'
All smiles: The Duchess meets local dignitaries, who had gathered outside to welcome her as she arrived at the launch event
Support: EACH helps East Anglia based families whose children are terminally ill
Not far: The charity launch was close to the Duchess' new Norfolk home, Anmer Hall
Royal wave: The Duchess smiles down at well-wishers from a balcony at the Norfolk Showground
Mr
Butland added: 'Quidenham is one of the oldest hospices in the UK and
has provided an incredible home-from-home to many families for more than
20 years.
'However,
care for children and young people during this time has become far more
complex and we are rapidly outgrowing the constraints of this
building.'
The
hospice has planning permission for buildings on a five-acre site in
Framingham Earl, images of which are being published for the first time
today.
'This
appeal is the biggest fundraising challenge EACH has faced to date,' Mr
Butland added. 'We are asking individuals, companies, schools and
communities to be part of this special project and need everyone to
organise events and activities, make donations and help us raise the
public awareness required.
'I have every faith that, together with our supporters, we will rise to the challenge.'
New look: The Duchess, who is famous for her flowing curls, chose to wear her hair in a sleek ponytail for the event
Nice to meet you: The Duchess chats to local dignitaries as she makes her way into the fundraising event
Despite
being almost 18 weeks into her pregnancy, the Duchess has stepped up
her engagements in recent weeks, and hosted a reception at Kensington
Palace last week.
She
is also in the middle of a house move and will relocate, with husband
Prince William and son Prince George, to Anmer Hall in Norfolk within
the next few weeks.
The
ten bedroom mansion, which is located on the Queen's private estate at
Sandringham and boasts extensive private grounds and a tennis court, was
given to the couple by the monarch as a wedding gift.
Since
then, the couple have spent millions of pounds of private funds doing
up the house as a country seat, including building a new garden room and
nanny flat, as well as re-routing its driveway for greater privacy.
Although
royal sources have insisted the couple will retain their
newly-refurbished apartment at Kensington Palace as their primary
residence, it is understood they will be spending an increasing amount
of time in the country, particularly when Prince William starts his new
role as an air ambulance pilot in East Anglia next year.
More
than £4.5 million of taxpayers money was spent converting Apartment
10A, which was the former home of Princess Margaret, into a home for the
second in line to the throne and his family.
Busy: Last week
saw the Duchess step out in a top that showed off her bump as she hosted
a reception for a mental wellness charity
Glamorous: Since recovering from her morning sickness, the Duchess has also rubbed shoulders with stars, among them Harry Styles
Charity work: The Duchess of Cambridge meets young athlete Emma Allen during a visit in aid of her charity, SportsAid
