Duchess Catherine to give first public speech

5 March 2012

Britain's Duchess Catherine will give her first public speech later this month.

The Duchess of Cambridge will make an address at the grand opening of the East Anglia's Children's Hospice (EACH) Treehouse centre in Ipswich on Monday, March 19 after being given a tour of the facility.

Graham Butland, EACH Chief Executive, said the charity is "honoured and extremely proud" to have Catherine as its Royal Patron and is thrilled she will be there for the official opening.

He said: "This will be Her Royal Highness's first public engagement as EACH Royal Patron, and children, families, staff and supporters are very much looking forward to the visit.

"The visit will showcase the magnificent facilities we can now offer to local life-threatened children and their families, and celebrate the supporters of The Treehouse Appeal - whose generosity made the dream of a specialist children's hospice for Suffolk and north Essex a reality.

"Having our work recognised in this way by Her Royal Highness is not only a tribute to our staff and supporters, but a huge boost for the children, young people and families receiving our care and support.

"The duchess' support, including the visit on March 19, continues to help us increase the awareness and understanding of the full range of services we offer children and families, and really celebrates the great work being done by all children's hospices across the UK."

Following the tour of the hospice - which has a hydrotherapy pool and dedicated sensory and music rooms - Catherine will meet with supporters and plant a tree in the grounds.