The Duchess of Cambridge recently gave mothers in Kingston a surprise when she shadowed some of Kingston Hospital’s midwives on their daily visits around the community. During her two day visit last November, The Duchess also spent time with maternity unit staff, women and their families across all areas of the maternity service.

Her Royal Highness is working to highlight the impact the early years of childhood has on lifelong health and happiness – and how even before a baby is born its future development can be affected by its mother’s own health.

Sally Brittain, Director of Nursing and Quality at the hospital said: “It was an absolute pleasure for all of us to host The Duchess at Kingston Hospital, particularly as by throwing a spotlight on our work and the work of all midwives, we couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife 2020.”