Kate in her own words: The heartache she hides
The Duchess of Cambridge talks movingly about the family moments she treasures…
As our future queen, we’re used to the Duchess of Cambridge making dignified speeches in a variety of official settings. What we aren’t quite so accustomed to is hearing the evercomposed Kate speak about personal matters with emotion, wearing her heart on her sleeve.
Kate’s revelations came not during a public address, but in an incredibly powerful open letter that the mother-of-three penned to a hospice for sick children, to mark the recent Children’s Hospice Week.
In the letter, Kate – who welcomed her third child Louis, a younger sibling for George, four, and Charlotte, three, on 23 April – comes across simply as a loving mother – one who clearly cannot imagine the utter heartache of the prospect of losing a child through illness.
Who could? It’s every parent’s worst nightmare. Tragically, across the UK right now, some 50, 000 families are living with children and young people who have life-limiting conditions.
Kate, 36 – who was named patron of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices in 2012 – offers up insights into her own family life in her letter, such as the ‘simple moments’ she cherishes the most.
Revealing the special times she adores sharing with her little ones, she wrote, ‘For me, as a mother, it is the simple family moments like playing outside together that I cherish.
‘As patron of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices, I am celebrating the remarkable and life-changing support provided by children’s hospices and palliative care charities across the UK… They offer a lifeline to children and families facing the unimaginable.
She continued, ‘The theme of Children’s Hospice Week this year is “Life’s Short’’, and I am touched that children and young people are sharing what they love most in life, and reminding us of how precious time is for everyone.
‘ We can help them spread joy and positivity, encouraging everyone to make the most of moments that matter.
‘Spending quality time together is such an important aspect of family life… Together we can champion the vital role that children’s hospices play in helping seriously ill children and families to have more precious moments.’
Some of the heart-rending answers from children asked what they enjoyed most included, ‘Swimming with mum,’ and ‘Cuddles in bed.’ You would imagine that reflecting on the plight of families who know their time together is running out must be particularly poignant for Kate, after having only given birth to Prince Louis just over a month ago.
With those post-pregnancy hormones still raging and a tiny, defenceless bundle in her arms most times, she must be deeply affected by the plight of these brave families.