By Rebecca English


The Duchess of Cambridge arrives at the Treehouse children's hospice in Ipswich, Suffolk

The Duchess of Cambridge looked calm and confident as she gave her first public address today.

And instead of buying a new dress for the landmark occasion, Kate chose to raid her mother's wardrobe instead.

The 30-year-old arrived at The Treehouse children's hospice in Ipswich, Suffolk, wearing a blue dress from Reiss - the same one Carole Middleton wore to Ascot in 2010.

Scroll down to watch Kate's speech

Kate borrowed the Reiss dress from her mother, who wore it to Ascot in 2010...the pair both accessorised with a black belt and court shoes

According to well-placed sources, the thrifty Kate frequently borrows clothes from her 57-year-old mother when she needs a special little something.

Kate accessorised the dress with a thick black belt for a tour of the new £3 million facility, which cares for seriously and terminally ill children.

The Treehouse is run by East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) and supports children and young people with life-threatening conditions across Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire and Norfolk.

Royal sources said the Duchess was responsible for writing her own speech and said it was in 'a very different style' from those of her husband, Prince William

The Duchess is royal patron of the charity which provides care and support wherever the family wishes - in their own home, in the community or at one of their three hospices in Ipswich, Milton and Quidenham.

The range of support includes short break care, specialist play activities, music therapy, hydrotherapy and parent groups as well as vital end of life care and bereavement support for all family members.

On her arrival the Duchess was greeted by 600 flag waving supporters and given a tour of the hospice, meeting children and their families who use the hospice’s facilities, including a sensory room and music room.

On her arrival the Duchess was greeted by 600 flag waving supporters and given a tour of the hospice

Kate three-minute speech was faultless - made with a slow but measured delivery.

Aides stressed that she had written it herself so it was very much from the heart. Her cut glass tone was eminently royal.

She also met staff and supporters and was given a private tour of the bedroom and care areas.

She heard a performance by a 10-year-old singer, Bethany Woods, who gave a spell-binding rendition of a song made famous by The Muppet Movie, Rainbow Connection.

In a hushed music therapy room, which moments earlier had been filled with a cacophony produced by percussion instruments played by children receiving treatment at the hospice, the wheelchair-bound youngster began to sing.

Bethany was diagnosed at the age of 22 months with merosin negative congenital muscular dystrophy, which causes poor muscle tone, tightness in the joints and respiratory problems.

The Treehouse has revolutionised children's hospice care in the East of England and the £3 million cost of building the centre was raised in just 12 months

She receives a wide range of care from the hospice to alleviate her condition but especially loves taking part in music and recorded a song for the hospice’s recent fundraising appeal DVD.

When the Duchess first entered the music therapy room, she greeted each of the four young musicians and their parents in turn.

On greeting Bethany, Kate said she had seen her video and asked her “Did that take a long time?”, adding that she liked her performance.

The youngster sang with a quiet voice but with a clear tone and Kate listened intently with her hands folded in her lap.

At the end she touched Bethany on the left arm as she congratulated her.

Earlier the duchess had picked up a single maraccas and played it against her left hand as the children improvised on their instruments.

Music therapy teacher Ray Travasso played the keyboard as each of the children joined in.

A three-year-old broke the ice with Kate when she walked up her and declared : 'Hello Princess Kate, can you paint with me?'

Marnie Jennings had already met the Duchess when she joined a group of siblings taking part in a crafts session at the hospice.

But not content with her own chat with the Duchess, a few minutes later Marnie decided to muscle in on the action when the Duchess was painting a ceramic butterfly with her elder sister Brooke, 12, and another girl.

The Duchess, greeting dignitaries, is royal patron of the charity which provides care and support wherever the family wishes

The girls’ mother Jeanette, 37, said: “She got out of her chair and went over and said: ‘Hello Princess Kate, can I paint with you?’'

The girls’s sister is Tilly Jennings, six, who has been coming to the hospice since she was three months old [in your press pack].

Mrs Jennings said: “Tilly started to get jealous and got up and went over as well. I think she thought Marnie was stealing her thunder.

“I thought ‘Oh no, if anyone was going to disgrace me it was my three-year-old.’ But Kate laughed. It broke the ice – nobody seemed quite so nervous

then. She was very friendly and approachable.'

Brooke said: 'I was cringeing a bit. She was going, "Princess Kate, let me do it for you. Look what I’m doing!" She said, "Oh OK,’ and let Marnie take over.

I was going, "Marnie, leave Kate alone." But then it was, "Oh well." She seemed very calm and cool and relaxed. She seemed to take it all in her stride. She was very nice and really pretty, and seemed really caring.'

Mrs Jennings said: 'Meetings a member of the Royal Family has been one of Tilly’s dreams. She has been so excited. This has meant her dream coming true.

'She has been carrying around Kate’s picture around with her ever since she knew she was going to meet her.'

Following the tour, The Duchess was invited to address the assembled guests - before planting a commemorative tree in the grounds of The Treehouse, another royal first for her in the UK.

Royal sources said the Duchess was responsible for writing her own speech and said it was in 'a very different style' from those of her husband, Prince William.

In a foreword to a brochure produced by the charity for the occasion, Kate wrote:'it is a tremendous privilege to be Royal Patron of East Anglia's Children's Hospices, and I feel truly honoured to be involved with this organisation. EACH is a world leader in the way it cares for children with life-threatening conditions and their families, and is at the very forefront of children's palliative care.

'I have been deeply moved by the work of EACH's dedicated staff - and by the environment of support for families. For me, EACH provides services which demand an unerring and passionate level of understanding, knowledge and sensitivity. I am extraordinarily grateful for the opportunity to be Royal Patron and I strongly encourage you to continue to support EACH's invaluable work.'

The Treehouse has revolutionised children's hospice care in the East of England and the £3 million cost of building the centre was raised in just 12 months.

The Duchess became Royal Patron of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices in January 2012.

Chief executive Graham Butland said:'The Duchess's visit will showcase the magnificent facilities we can now offer to life-threatened children and their families.'




source: dailymail