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The Duke of Cambridge made an emotional visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital today as he followed in Princess Diana’s footsteps almost forty years after her first solo engagement.
Prince William, 38, spoke to cancer patients on hospital wards during his visit today, and was seen hugging staff as he walked through corridors.
The royal, who was appointed President of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust in 2007, met with patients and their families, and praised staff for their ‘reservoirs of campassion’ as they discussed the psychological support at the centre.
The Duke has visited the hospital regularly since his appointment as President in 2007, most recently in 2017 when he visited the Radiotherapy Department and Oak Centre for Children and Young People.
The hospital has a poignant significance for William, as it was the place Princess Diana visited on her first solo engagement in 1982.
The royal leaned forward as he spoke to patients on the wards of the cancer centre, and is believed to have spoken to them about the psychological support offered by the hospital
The nurses at the hospital beamed as they embraced Prince William on the corridors of the Royal Marsden in Chelsea
Princess Diana made her first solo engagement to the hospital in 1982, and went on to be appointed President of the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust from 1989 until her death in 1997 (pictured on a visit to the hospital in 1993)
The Prince was greeted by Cally Palmer, who became Chief Executive of the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust in 1998.
The two have worked closely for many years, with Cally even attending his wedding in 2011 to represent the hospital.
The royal donned a smart blazer for the brief visit, with a sky blue shirt and a pair of tan chinos.
He went on to meet with patients at the cancer centre, which is the largest in Europe and treats over 50,000 NHS and private patients every year.
Prince William looked dashing as he arrived at the Royal Marsden Hospital ahead of his visit today. The royal has regularly visited the hospital since he was appointed president in 2007
The royal greeted hospital staff with a smile as he arrived at the hospital for a visit earlier today
William, who is President of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, appeared to greet members of staff warmly ahead of his visit, including Chief Executive Cally Palmer
Prince William spent time speaking to patients one-on-one who are being treated at the cancer centre in London this morning
Prince William was appointed President of the hospital in 2007, a position previously held by his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.
William became President of the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust in 2007, taking over the Presidency from his mother who held the role from 1989 until her death in 1997.
Prince William followed in his mother’s footsteps today as he met with cancer patients as well as their families to discuss the psychological support that the Royal Marsden offers during and after treatment.
The royal was seen speaking to several patients one-on-one, and seemed engaged as he leaned forward.
Prince William beamed as he appeared to share a joke with one patient on the ward during his visit
The royal was beckoned in for a hug by one nurse, who appeared overjoyed to see the royal on the corridors of the hospital
Prince William spoke to former patients and hospital staff during a visit to the Royal Marsden in Chelsea, London
In one particularly poignant moment, he beamed as he appeared to share a joke with an older woman on the ward.
The royal, who has regularly visited the hospital since becoming President, greeted members of staff warmly as he walked down the corridors.
He was beckoned in for a hug by one nurse, Joyce Mensah, who appeared overjoyed to see the royal on the corridors of the hospital.
And it appeared a queue apparently formed following the hug, as a cleaner Evelyn Adams, 65, leaned in to embrace the royal.
At one stage the royal furrowed his brow as he was seen in a conversation with hospital staff during his visit
Cally Palmer, Chief Executive of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, and Prince William seemed deep in conversation as they left the building following his visit
He went on to join roundtable discussions with members of staff and former patients about the support the hospital could offer.
Speaking to a matron who had returned to duties after receiving help, he praised the work of nurses saying the ‘reservoirs of compassion’ they must have were ‘incredible’.
Cally Palmer, who joined William on much of the visit today, was seen deep in conversation with the royal as he left the building.
The two embraced before Prince of Cambridge left the hospital.
The pair shared a smile as they said goodbye after his visit to the Royal Marsden, which is Europe’s biggest cancer centre, this morning
Prince William and Cally appeared friendly as they said goodbye following his brief visit to the hospital this morning
It is likely Prince William met with old friends today during his visit, having regularly visited the hospital over the past twelve years
It comes just days after he surprised well-wishers who had gathered outside Kensington Palace since 5.30am to remember what would have been Diana, Princess of Wales‘ 58th birthday.
He joined royal fans on Monday evening, and at around 6.45pm they were astounded to see her eldest son walk quietly and without fanfare through the palace gates into Kensington Gardens with a small security detail.
William walked up to the six of them, who were surrounded by pictures of his late mother along with bunting and flowers, and shook each by the hand.
Prince William met with several staff members before heading into the Royal Marsden Hospital for his visit today
The royal has made several visits to the Royal Marsden, which is the largest cancer centre in Europe
Chief Executive of the Royal Marsden Trust Cally Palmer and Prince William grasped hands as they met outside the cancer centre today
Prince William appeared overjoyed to meet Cally Palmer today, warmly placing a hand on her shoulder as they greeted
Prince William greeted Chief Executive of the Royal Marsden Trust Cally Palmer warmly as the two headed inside the hospital
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