Prince William Surprises Hospital Staff with a Visit — and Is Welcomed with Royal-Themed Cupcakes
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East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust Twitter Prince William at Ipswich hospital
Prince William is thanking medical staff.
The Prince of Wales, 40, made a surprise visit to a hospital on Friday to pass on his gratitude and talk to first responders and other staff. Pictures emerged of the royal chatting with ambulance staff and workers at Ipswich Hospital and Ipswich Ambulance Station, joining them for selfies as they marked the visit.
Prince William, who was an air ambulance pilot, frequently supports and heralds the work of emergency services.
The news was made public by East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Trust, which runs the hospital that lies about 70 miles from Prince William and wife Kate Middleton's country home Anmer Hall in Norfolk. Ipswich is about 80 miles northeast of London.
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East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust Twitter
After sharing some pictures from the visit, the trust said, "It's not every day the future king drops in! Thanks to Prince William for visiting NHS staff at #IpswichHospital today. The prince thanked staff and found out more about our local NHS."
The East of England Ambulance Service also shared photos from Prince William's visit, including a smiling shot of the royal holding a cupcake adorned with the Union Jack flag.
It’s not everyday the future king drops in!
Thanks to Prince William for visiting NHS staff at #IpswichHospital today. The prince thanked staff and found out more about our local NHS. #LoveYourNHS pic.twitter.com/I0cBjF0mIx— East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (@ESNEFT) February 10, 2023
"Last Friday, we had the honour of welcoming @KensingtonRoyal at our Ipswich Ambulance Station. He took the time to meet and thank our staff for their hard work and dedication!" the organization said in a tweet.
They added, "A big thank you to @kerryjgaskin for the incredible cakes, we heard they went down a treat!"
The outing was a private one, so Prince William's office at Kensington Palace had no comment.
A big thank you to @kerryjgaskin for the incredible cakes, we heard they went down a treat! pic.twitter.com/hIFGW4c5oE
— EEAST Ambulance Service (@EastEnglandAmb) February 13, 2023
Highlighting the work of health staff has been a key part of William's work. The surprise hospital visit comes a month after Prince William and Kate spent some time in Liverpool at the city's Royal University hospital. It has been a difficult winter for the public health service with strikes by nurses and ambulance staff adding to the strain on services.
The welfare of emergency services crews is vitally important to the prince. William and Kate worked throughout the coronavirus pandemic to support those who work in first responder teams. Their Royal Foundation set up Our Frontline and supported leading charities highlighting mental health and frontline support as part of a bespoke COVID relief fund.
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BRUCE ADAMS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images Prince William and Kate Middleton
Prince William and Princess Kate, 41, are likely lessening their royal duties this week as they spend time with their children — Prince George, 9, Princess Charlotte, 7, and Prince Louis, 4 — during the kids' half-term break from Lambrook School.
