Duchess to spend anniversary on charity duty

The Duchess of Cambridge meets Sally Evans from Salisbury as she visits Naomi House Children's Hospice in Winchester. Picture: PA

The Duchess, then known as Kate Middleton, married William two years ago today at Westminster Abbey during in a ceremony watched by millions around the globe.

Traditionally couples exchange cotton presents to mark their second wedding anniversary and it is likely the Cambridges will mark the milestone privately.

Now a working royal, the Duchess will spend much of today visiting Naomi House Children’s Hospice in Hampshire, an institution that supports youngsters with life-limiting conditions.

The Duchess has already marked Children’s Hospice Week by recording her first video message, released yesterday, which appealed for support for the initiative aimed at raising awareness and funds.

The week, which runs until Friday, is run by UK children’s palliative care charity Together for Short Lives.

In the video pregnant Kate, who is Royal Patron of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices, said she had seen first-hand the “transformational” work done for children and their families.

The Duchess said: “Children’s hospices provide lifelines to families at a time of unimaginable pain. The support they give is vital.

“In order to carry out this wonderful work, our help is needed. With our support, those providing children’s palliative care can continue to offer these extraordinary services.

“It does not bear thinking about what these families would do without this.”

During her visit to the hospice near Winchester the Duchess will tour the institution’s facilities and meet children and their families, staff, volunteers and supporters of the charity.