The Princess of Wales visits children’s hospice

The Princess of Wales visits The Treehouse children’s hospice in Ipswich to highlight the transformative impact of the care and compassion that East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) provide to children with life-limiting conditions and their families.

The Princess of Wales has returned to a place that was one of Catherine’s first solo engagements when she became Duchess of Cambridge. In March 2012, the then-Duchess of Cambridge delivered her first public speech at The Treehouse’s opening, saying, “Today here in Ipswich I would like to celebrate Each’s latest bold step forward — the opening of the Treehouse, this fantastic purpose-built hospice which was made possible by donations from the public.”

On Thursday, the Princess arrived at The Treehouse children’s hospice in Ipswich and was met by Chief Executive Kevin Clements. Catherine then donned a high-vis vest and a hard hat to view a new expansion of the Ipswich location, which will include a new hydrotherapy pool, a wellbeing and therapies suite, a larger care activity area, a dedicated teenage space, an additional bedroom, and expanded kitchen and dining facilities.

Picture by Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace

The Princess saw the development work in progress, with completion expected in Spring 2028. She also heard how EACH continues to fundraise to support both the expansion and provision of vital day-to-day care and support for families.

The Treehouse has five children’s bedrooms, family accommodation, a sensory room, a hydrotherapy pool, a music studio, a sensory garden, and a woodland walk, along with play areas featuring specialist outdoor play equipment. Around 185 children, young people, and family members currently receive care and support at The Treehouse.

Picture by Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace

The centre is part of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH), which delivers all-encompassing, lifelong care, including a comprehensive range of services to support both bereaved and non-bereaved families. The Princess became EACH’s Royal Patron in 2012, one of her first. EACH aims to ensure the best possible quality of life for babies, children and young people.

After the construction site tour, a more poignant moment came when the Princess met several children and families receiving care and support at The Treehouse. Catherine learned about the complementary creative therapies they receive, including music therapy and sensory experiences. The Princess met a young girl named Charlotte Freegard who receives care at the Ipswich location.

Reflecting EACH’s holistic approach to care, these therapies nurture each child’s emotional, social, and developmental wellbeing and create opportunities for self-expression, creativity, and connection.