> At a Glance
> – Prince William and Princess Kate made their first public appearance of 2026 on January 8
> – They surprised staff at Charing Cross Hospital in West London
> – The visit highlighted winter pressures on NHS workers
> – Why it matters: The royals spotlight the daily £1.5 million NHS Charities Together gives to support patients and staff
The royal couple stepped out together for the first time since Christmas, bringing attention to frontline healthcare heroes in the heart of London.
The Surprise Hospital Visit
Dressed in a maroon suit and burgundy blouse, Kate, 43, arrived alongside William, 43, to meet doctors, nurses and volunteers tackling the winter virus surge. As joint patrons of NHS Charities Together, they spoke directly with staff about rising workloads and how charity-funded extras ease the strain.
- Met volunteers who improve patient care
- Learned how charity grants fund equipment, green spaces and arts projects
- Joined a roundtable with CEOs, clinicians, patients and policymakers
NHS Charities in Numbers
| Daily Impact | Amount |
|---|---|
| Funds given | £1.5 million |
| NHS charities covered | 220+ |
| COVID-era total raised | $200 million |
The charity network supports every NHS Trust and Health Board across the U.K., investing in prevention projects that keep communities healthy and out of hospital.
A Look Back-and Ahead
During a previous engagement, William visited the Reading hospital where Kate was born, marking five years since COVID-19 began. That March 2025 trip praised the charity’s pandemic efforts for staff and patients.
Thursday’s outing followed the family’s Christmas Day walk in Sandringham with Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7. The children returned to school January 7; the Wales family will celebrate Kate’s 44th birthday on January 9.
Key Takeaways
- First royal engagement of 2026 spotlights NHS winter pressures
- NHS Charities Together channels £1.5 million daily to frontline projects
- Roundtable explored how philanthropy drives innovation in patient care
- Public appearance ends a two-week family break in Norfolk
The surprise visit underscores the couple’s ongoing commitment to health workers and the charities that back them.
