In a display of her maternal instincts and sympathy, Duchess Kate became tearful during a fundraising event Monday. The pregnant Kate Middleton sought out a woman who lost her infant daughter to a rare heart condition and embraced the grieving mom. Despite suffering from severe morning sickness and having a heavy travel schedule, the Duchess of Cambridge still found the strength to support families and children with terminal illnesses, according to a Mirror report.
Duchess Kate was present at East Anglia Children’s Hospices in Norfolk in order to help spearhead an effort to raise funds for research and resources to assist children with dreaded diseases. There, the tearful Duchess met with Leigh Smith, 33, whose daughter Beatrice died back in February from cardiomyopathy. The beloved child was only 16 weeks old at the time of her untimely death.
After the girl passed away, Smith wrote a passion-filled letter to Middleton and petitioned her to help lend her voice and presence to the cause for saving children before and after they are transitioned to hospice care. To the woman’s surprise, she received a personal response from the pregnant royal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVpYlvLso5U
The event was attended by 700 supporters who were on hand to see Kate up close and listen to her vision of the future on efforts to treat life-threatening conditions kids are diagnosed with. Her presence alone was substantial in raising several million dollars towards the not-for-profit event. Additionally, many point to Duchess Kate’s tears shed when meeting with Smith and the time she took to meet and comfort stricken families and children.
Perhaps the most memorable moment of the event was when Duchess Kate teared up after her remarks. She purposefully sought out the grief-stricken woman and shared a compassionate moment by wrapping her arms around Smith, who later spoke to the media.
“Kate sought me out and gave me a hug just before she left. I was getting quite teary-eyed, she had tears in her eyes and she just said to me: ‘You’re a very brave lady and again, I’m just so, so sorry.’”
Tracy Cottis, a patient trustee for the event, shared her thoughts about Kate Middleton’s visit. She echoed the comments by Smith who lauded the tearful Duchess.
“I met Kate when she visited Ipswich and her passion for the charity is clear for all to see.”
Roger and Michala Benton, their 4-year-old daughter, Isabella, and her siblings, Daisy, 2, Molly, 7 months and Aimee, 7, met with the British royal. Isabella suffers from several problems with her central nervous system. Mr. Benton talked about his meeting with Prince William’s wife.
“She asked what services we use and how the new hospice will help us and said we had a lovely family. I greatly admire the dedication, generosity and achievements of the charity’s supporters and volunteers, and look forward to seeing the progress of this campaign.”
Kate, who is nearly five months pregnant, looked amazing. The Duchess donned a red Katherine Hooker dress, which showed off minimal signs of her baby bump. And instead of her trademark locks worn loosely, the Duchess of Cambridge pulled her hair back into a ponytail.
Royal or not, Duchess Kate was tearful like any other woman would be who lost a child. Her show of emotion proves that even with the traditional decorum she displays when in the public, as a mom-to-be, Middleton can’t contain her feelings over the loss of a baby — nor is she expected to.
[Image via the Mirror ]
