Duchess Catherine opens Mittal Children's Medical Centre

17 January 2018

Duchess Catherine helped open the new Mittal Children's Medical Centre at Great Ormond Street Hospital on Wednesday morning (17.01.18).

Duchess Catherine

The 36-year-old royal - who is pregnant with her third child with husband Prince William - was greeted by nine-year-old patient Ava at the children's hospital in London, and spent time with the poorly youngsters who were busy with art activities.

A series of tweets by Kensington Palace revealed: "The Duchess of Cambridge is welcomed to @GreatOrmondSt (GOSH) by 9 year-old patient, Ava.

Today HRH is opening the new Mittal Children's Medical Centre, which will enable the hospital provide world-class care to even more children ... The Duchess joins some children for an art activity, and discovers more about the positive impact the new centre is having on @GreatOrmondSt patients & their families (sic)"

With the new facility up and running, the children being treated will be able to have their parents/guardians stay over with them.

The palace added: "The children have been able to move into new, modern wards where parents or carers can stay comfortably overnight by their child's bedside. (sic)"

Catherine - who has four-year-old Prince George and Princess Charlotte, two, with William - follows in the footsteps of the late Queen Victoria and her grandmother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth - both patrons of Great Ormond Street - by paying a visit to the hospital.

Revealing GOSH's history with the royals, the palace shared: "The Royal Family has a longstanding connection with GOSH; Queen Victoria was the hospital's first Patron after its foundation 1852.

The Queen is the current Patron and has visited a number of times during her reign. (sic)"

Later today, Catherine - who is a patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club - is due to visit Bond Primary School in Mitcham, south London to learn about the Wimbledon Junior Tennis Initiative, which offers free coaching to young people.