‘I met a Princess and I got to paint her hand and she came to Ty Hafan where we go quite often.”
So said Lottie, who is celebrating her 10th birthday today, after meeting Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales and helping her to make her handprint as the new Patron of Tŷ Hafan Children’s Hospice.
Maggie, Lottie’s little sister, aged 4, also got in on the action, with The Princess painting her hand so that she could have her handprint taken alongside Her Royal Highness’ on what was a very special day indeed for our charity.
Twelve year old Felix is Lottie and Maggie’s big brother and has Miller-Dieker Syndrome, a neurological disorder. Felix, Lottie and Maggie, along with mum and dad, Alex and Dan, are all supported by our charity and were one of a number of families who met The Princess yesterday on her first visit to our hospice.
“Love, empathy and kindness is right at the centre of @ty_hafan’s work.
“Today’s visit was incredibly moving – seeing the care and compassion provided to children with life-shortening conditions, and to their families. Spending time with some of them today highlighted the vital work done by Tŷ Hafan to support families throughout life and beyond.”
This was the message shared yesterday afternoon on the @princeandprincessofwales Instagram feed after The Princess’ visit to Tŷ Hafan and the announcement that The Princess has become our Patron.
Tŷ Hafan mum Emily Taylor, bereaved mum of Violet, spent time with The Princess in our beautiful grounds and Memorial Garden. Violet, who had the rare condition TBCK, was just 11 months old when she died at Tŷ Hafan last August after receiving end of life care at our hospice.
“When we were first told the news that Her Royal Highness Princess of Wales would be the new patron for Tŷ Hafan, I think we were in shock for a moment!” she said.
“Then our next thought was how much this will mean to Tŷ Hafan, how much it’ll benefit the charity and all of the families that they help. I have no doubt this new patronage will bring so many benefits to Tŷ Hafan and will go a long way in highlighting all of the incredible work that they do for families like mine.”
Emily, who lives in Caerphilly with her husband James and their sons Theo, seven and five-year-old Logan, added: “It feels very fitting that The Princess of Wales – who herself displays so much compassion, empathy and kindness – would be the patron for a charity that possesses so many of the same qualities. It’s clear that the views from both parties are so aligned when it comes to supporting children whose lives will be short, and their families.
“We were so excited to be part of Her Royal Highness’s first official visit and we were honoured to have the opportunity to talk about our beautiful daughter, Violet, and all that Tŷ Hafan has done for us. It was an incredible day for everyone involved!”
Tŷ Hafan mum Candice Jones whose daughter Winnie also received end-of-life care at Tŷ Hafan, spent time talking with The Princess too. Winnie, who had Alexander’s Disease, was just 13 months old when she died in July 2023.
“When Irfon and Sarah came to tell us the great news we were both shocked,” said Candice. “We couldn’t believe that The Princess of Wales is now the Patron of Tŷ Hafan. When they mentioned that Princess Kate was coming to visit Tŷ Hafan and asked us to be there during her visit we both had massive smiles on our faces. We still can’t believe it, it feels so surreal.”
Candice, who lives in Llanelli with her partner Anton and their sons Arthur,11, and seven-year-old Henry, added: “The Princess will be an amazing ambassador for Tŷ Hafan and we’re so glad that we have her amazing support.”
News of the visit and announcement was also shared on the official Instagram feed for His Royal Highness His Majesty King Charles and Queen Camilla @TheRoyalFamily
“The Princess of Wales has visited Tŷ Hafan, following the announcement that Her Royal Highness will take over as Patron of the charity.
“Since opening in 1999, the children’s hospice based in Sully, near Cardiff, supports families in Wales to ensure that children with life-shortening conditions live fulfilling lives.
“At the heart of Tŷ Hafan is a commitment to providing holistic support, focusing on the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of the children in its care and their families.
“The King served as Patron of @Ty_Hafan, when he was The Prince of Wales, from 2001.”
The Princess visit included spending time with children and their families at a Stay and Play session, and Her Royal Highness also enjoyed a tour of our hospice and grounds, cheerfully escorted part of the way by five-year-old Oscar on his walking frame.
Summing up the day Martin Davies, Chair of Tŷ Hafan, said: “On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I would like to say how deeply honoured we are that Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales is now Patron of Tŷ Hafan Children’s Hospice.
“When a child’s life will be short, Tŷ Hafan will walk alongside that family every step of the way, through life, death and beyond.
“With The Princess’ keen interests in early childhood and children’s mental health, I have no doubt that, thanks to the support of Her Royal Highness, our charity will continue to go from strength to strength.”
Pictures by Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace