Kate Middleton Gets Emotional at Children's Hospice Launch
Kate Middleton attended the launch of East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH) fundraising appeal to build a new children's hospice in Norfolk.
The Duchess looked happy as she greeted the spectators and the media. She was dressed in a red dress which highlighted her baby bump, and she was photographed receiving flowers from the local children.
Hundreds of guests gathered to learn more about the appeal, and the Duchess met families, volunteers, and supporters of the hospice. Among those she met was Leigh Smith, whose daughter Beatrice was just 16 weeks old when she passed away from a rare heart condition called restrictive cardiomyopathy in January. Smith revealed to reporters at the event that the Duchess wrote to her personally.
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"I was surprised to receive a letter with such personal comments and signed by her," said Smith. "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. I hope Beatrice was looking down as I met Kate."
The two women spent time together at the launch, and later the Duchess hugged Smith and told her with tears in her eyes, "You're a very brave lady—I'm just so, so sorry."
The Duchess has been a royal patron of EACH since January 2012. It was reportedly one of her first choices following private visits and much consideration. For the appeal, she helped design a new range of pottery together with Emma Bridgewater. A portion from each sale will go directly to EACH. The "Flower and Insect" mugs which the Duchess designed will go on sale in March.
