ROYALS SURPRISE NHS STAFF

The Prince and Princess of Wales drop in to hospital tea party and share experience of cancer with patients and volunteers

- REPORT: TRACY SCHAVERIEN

Stepping out in public for the first time this year, the Prince and Princess of Wales chose an NHS hospital to kick off their royal engagements for 2026.

The day before her birthday, Kate joined William for a surprise visit to Charing Cross Hospital in Hammersmith, west London, in a last-minute change to what had been planned as a solo visit by the Prince.

"Both of us had different experiences with hospitals - me working with the Air Ambulance and Catherine with her recent health journey," William said, referring to his wife's treatment for cancer. "Coming here today and reminding ourselves just how important all the teams are, all the staff, the patients... it's so heartwarming."

He added that they wanted to "acknowledge and appreciate all that goes on in the NHS and that very strong bond between patient and carer".