It may be her second wedding anniversary, but it is business as usual for the Duchess of Cambridge as she visits a children’s hospice today.
Kate, 31, is without husband Prince William during the engagement at the Naomi House Children’s Hospice in Hampshire to mark Children’s Hospice Week.
According to sources, William, is unfortunately on shift as an RAF Search and Rescue pilot on Anglesey on the anniversary of their Westminster Abbey wedding in 2011 - which is normally celebrated with a gift of cotton.
Pretty in peach: The Duchess of Cambridge looked peachy during her visit to the Naomi House Children's Hospice in Hampshire to mark Children's Hospice Week
A gift for the lady: She was presented with a beautiful posy of flowers by Sally Evans, eight, from Salisbury, Wilts, who suffers from spinal muscular atrophy
However it is believed the couple have enjoyed a private weekend away in Norfolk to mark the occasion.
The Duchess looked blooming in an apricot-coloured Tara Jarmon Coat and a peach dress by a private dressmaker.
She was presented with a beautiful posy of flowers by Sally Evans, eight, from Salisbury, Wilts, who suffers from spinal muscular atrophy.
Kate’s visit to the hospice will, undoubtedly, be a moving experience given that she is expecting her first child in July.
Just peachy: Kate toured the Hospice's facilities, where she met children and their families, as well as staff, volunteers and supporters of the charity in her all peach ensemble
Graham Butland, chief executive of EACH, said: 'She is a natural with the children, she will be a great mum, a great mum. I really mean that.
'The way in which she has raised the profile of our charity is something we will be eternally grateful.'
Naomi House provides support to children with life-limiting conditions and their families living in Berkshire, Dorset, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Surrey, West Sussex and Wiltshire.
The charity has two specialist units: Naomi House for children and Jacksplace for young adults.
Touched: Kate looked touched by young Sally as she toured Naomi House, which has 10 children's bedrooms and five family bedrooms
A natural: Graham Butland, chief executive of EACH, said: 'She is a natural with the children, she will be a great mum, a great mum. I really mean that'
Supporting a good cause: Naomi House provides support to children with life-limiting conditions and their families living in Berkshire, Dorset, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Surrey, West Sussex and Wiltshire
All smiles: The Duchess of Cambridge was in good spirits during her visit, despite being apart from her husband on their second wedding anniversary
Naomi House has 10 children’s bedrooms and five family bedrooms and offers a broad range of facilities including music therapy, computer art and play rooms and multi-sensory and hydrotherapy suites.
Family support teams also offer practical and emotional support to the whole family throughout their child’s life and after death.
At the end of her tour, the Duchess joined a tea party with some of Naomi House’s children and their families, who gathered to support Children’s Hospice Week.
Eternally grateful: Staff said the way in which Kate has raised the profile of their charity is something they will be eternally grateful for
During the tea party, Kate watched a musical performance by Ollie Wade, who presented his own song Free, written in memory of his brother, Ben, who died in 2011.
He and his family received end of life care and bereavement support at Naomi House.
Ollie Wade’s song will be released at the start of Children’s Hospice Week to raise money for Naomi House.
The Duchess has already released her first video message in support of Children’s Hospice Week, which runs until May 3rd.
It is the UK’s only awareness and fundraising week for children with life-limiting conditions and the services.
Coordinated by Together for Short Lives, Children’s Hospice Week will this year focus on siblings to raise awareness of how services support brothers and sisters of poorly children through special groups and activities.
Glowing: The Duchess was positively glowing as she toured the hospice in her peachy dress and coat
In the video, Kate, who became Royal Patron of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices in January 2012, talks about her personal experience of seeing first-hand the ‘transformational’ work that EACH does for children and their families – as well as the 48 other children’s hospice services across the UK.
She said: ‘Children’s Hospice Week is a time to recognise, celebrate and support the inspirational work of those hospices, and those who provide palliative care to these children and families.
'Children’s hospices provide lifelines to families at a time of unimaginable pain. The support they give is vital.
‘In order to carry out this wonderful work, our help is needed. With our support, those providing children’s palliative care can continue to offer these extraordinary services. It does not bear thinking about what these families would do without this.
‘With your support, we can help ensure that these children and their families can make the most of the precious time they have together.’
Flying solo: According to sources, William, is unfortunately on shift as an RAF Search and Rescue pilot on Anglesey on the anniversary of their wedding
Welcoming The Duchess’s support, Barbara Gelb, CEO of Together for Short Lives said: ‘I am so delighted and very excited that Her Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cambridge, as Royal Patron of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices, has generously given her support to Children’s Hospice Week.
'I know this extraordinary backing will mean so much to all the UK’s 49,000 children with palliative care needs and their families and will really help raise awareness of what these families need, today and in the future.
‘The Duchess’s message will be a real boost to children’s hospices and all the charities that deliver vital health and social care to these families.
'These services rely on donations so they can help children and families make the most of the precious time they have together.
'I hope that the public will be inspired by Her Royal Highness to join us this Children’s Hospice Week by supporting their local service.’
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2316526/Duchess-Cambridge-goes-solo-second-wedding-anniversary-Naomi-House-Childrens-Hospice.html#ixzz2RrdeVBz9
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