Princess
Beatrice, Princess Eugenie and Sarah, Duchess of
York looked visibly emotional as they took part in a video call with young
people supported by Teenage Cancer Trust.
The royal ladies, who
are honorary patrons of the charity, helped to open a new blood cancer
ward at University College London Hospital last week.
Beatrice and her mum Sarah
were seen wiping away tears as Dr. Adrian Whiteson OBE and Myrna Whiteson MBE,
founders and life presidents of the charity, thanked the Duchess for her
dedication and support for the past 32 years.
“Eugenie, Beatrice, you
must be very proud of Mum because she has such humility and such empathy with
patients,” Dr. Adrian said, as Eugenie, who was seated next to her mum,
leaned over to give her a big hug.
Beatrice, who was dialing in
from a separate location, was seen wiping away a tear as she smiled at the
camera, while Sarah told the charity founders: “Well, we’re very proud of
you.”
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The Duchess became emotional on the video call
Myrna continued, “I just
wonder when we enlist the little ones?” referring to Beatrice’s
daughter Sienna, who turns one in September, and Eugenie’s son August, who celebrated
his first birthday in February. “Give them a year or two and they’ll be
doing Teenage Cancer Trust.”
“Sienna’s already a
lifelong patron,” Beatrice said, smiling widely.
The Princess also recalled
visiting a Teenage Cancer Trust ward on her 18th birthday and the impact it had
on her future work. “My 18th birthday, I got to come down to the ward and
meet some of the young people,” said Beatrice. “And I think when
you’re a young person yourself, it changed for me the trajectory of, you know,
what it is to be in service.”
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Beatrice admitted her daughter Sienna is already a “lifelong patron” of the charity
The call ended by the Duchess
officially opening the new UCLH haematology ward to rounds of applause and
cheers from participants on the call.
Prince Andrew’s ex-wife has
supported Teenage Cancer Trust since its inception. In a statement, she said:
“This is a special charity that’s so very close to my heart. Cancer
doesn’t just devastate a young person’s health. It threatens to take away
everything they care about – their identity, their independence, and their
dreams.
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The royals officially opened the new UCLH haematology ward
“Teenage Cancer Trust’s
specialist nurses and youth workers provide the very best care and support
during treatment and beyond, making sure that cancer doesn’t stop young people
living their lives.
“I opened the first
Teenage Cancer Trust unit for young people in London in 1990, and 32 years
later, to be here with my daughters, helping to open this new blood cancer ward
at UCLH, is truly remarkable. We are all honoured to be a part of this
incredible charity.”
Teenage Cancer Trust worked
with Morgan Stanley employees to raise and donate over £600,000 of funding for
the much-needed new ward that brings teens and young people with blood cancer
together to be treated by experts in a place specially designed for them.
