The Duchess of Cambridge was moved to tears yesterday as she listened to a mother recall the heartbreak of losing her three-month-old daughter. After Leigh Smith had finished her speech at the charity event, Kate reacted as any mother would – by throwing her arms around her to comfort her. Mrs Smith, 33, whose daughter Beatrice died of a heart condition earlier this year, said: ‘Kate sought me out and gave me a hug just before she left. ‘I was getting quite teary-eyed, she had tears in her eyes and she just said to me, “You’re a very brave lady and again, I’m just so, so sorry”.’
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The Duchess of Cambridge was in Norfolk to launch an appeal on behalf of East Anglia Children's Hospices
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She welled up as she hugged Leigh Smith, 33, whose daughter Beatrice was just 16 weeks old when she died
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Mother's story moved the Duchess so much, she welled up and threw her arms around her
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Mrs Smith's little daughter Beatrice would have been celebrating her first birthday this Friday
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She also thanked the Duchess for the personal letter she sent after hearing of Beatrice's death in January
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The Duchess has been patron of East Anglia Children's Hospices since 2012
Mrs Smith added: ‘I had mixed feelings about today because it’s a difficult time, but this is the most amazing way of celebrating Beatrice’s birthday and I hope she was looking down as I met @placeholder.’ The duchess has already been playing an active role in the fundraising drive for the charity’s new facility.
All smiles: @placeholder meets local dignitaries, who had gathered outside to welcome her as she arrived at the launch event