The Princess of Wales donned a hard hat and high-vis gilet today as she returned to the Suffolk children's hospice where she made her first public speech after marrying Prince William.

Kate - who on Tuesday night wore a dazzling tiara as she supported the King and Queen at a glittering state banquet - looked the part in protective gear this morning as she toured construction work at the Treehouse in Ipswich.

In 2012, the future queen, 44, inaugurated the 'inspirational' charity space as patron of East Anglia's Children's Hospices while her husband was deployed in the Falklands as an RAF search and rescue pilot.

Fourteen years later, Kate returned to the Treehouse amid a multi-million-pound expansion to meet a 'growing demand' for its services.

As well as her hard hat and jacket, the future Queen was dressed in Victoria Beckham from head to toe, wearing a £1,325 khaki power suit from Posh Spice's label.

Her outfit included the £850 Katherine jacket, matching trousers worth £475 and a black lambswool polo neck that retails for £520. She finished the look with a £290 burgundy belt with a gold buckle.

During today's visit, the Princess heard about the transformative impact of the care, compassion and connection it provides to children with life-limiting conditions.

During today's visit, Kate was introduced to 12-year-old Charlotte Freegard, who has been receiving care from EACH since 2021. 

The spirited youngster has a rare muscle disorder called Nemaline Myopathy, which causes muscle weakness throughout the body but is most severe in the face, neck and limbs. 

Charlotte played the piano for Kate during a music therapy session at the hospice, before the Princess was shown around the purple-tinged sensory room on the premises. 

EACH chief executive Kevin Clements previously said the £6.3million expansion is 'one of the most important building projects' in Suffolk right now, adding: 'It's about so much more than bricks and mortar.'

'It's about making sure every family who needs us feels seen, supported and can access our care - wherever they live and whatever their background.'

Kate planted a tree during her first visit to the hospice in 2012, as she said: 'Today I have seen again that the Treehouse is all about family and fun. For many, this is a home from home - a lifeline enabling families to live as normally as possible during a very precious period of time.

'What you do is inspirational. It is a shining example of the support and the care that is delivered, not just here, but in the children's hospice movement at large up and down the country. 

'The feelings you inspire - feelings of love and of hope - offer a chance to families to live a life they never thought could be possible,' she said, as the crowd erupted in loud cheers. 

The Treehouse currently has five children's bedrooms and accommodation for families to use for overnight stays. 

The hospice provides a range of therapeutic services - from a sensory garden and music studio to a hydrotherapy pool - to ensure the best quality of life for the babies, children and young people receiving care at The Treehouse. 

The expansion plans include a new hydrotherapy pool, wellbeing and therapies suite, a larger care activity area, an additional children's bedroom and expanded kitchen and dining facilities. 

Mr Clements previously said 'more space is desperately needed' at The Treehouse so that it can continue to provide world-class care to the children and families that rely on the facility. 

'This project will enable us to provide more space for group activities, wellbeing activities, bereavement support,' the EACH chief executive told the BBC. 

'It provides more privacy for families when we are managing end-of-life care for babies, children and young people.'

Construction work is expected to be completed by early 2028 after planning permission was granted last November. 

The princess will today learn how EACH is fundraising for the expansion while continuing to provide vital day-to-day care and support for families. 

The charity has confirmed £4million of the funding has already been secured and that it has until October 2027 to raise the balance.  

Kate will also meet some of these children and families to learn how the complementary creative therapies they receive have enhanced their emotional and social wellbeing. 

It was announced that Kate would become patron of the Treehouse in January 2012 after researching a selection of charities. 

Her mother-in-law, Princess Diana, opened Each's first hospice in Milton, Cambridgeshire, in 1989.  

Kate's engagement in Ipswich comes days after she joined the King, Queen and Prince William at a glittering state banquet for the  Sultan of Oman - on the same day that Prince Harry insisted he wanted to reconcile with his family. 

The monarch was accompanied by William and Kate, Queen Camilla, the Princess Royal and her husband Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, as well as the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester as they hosted Sultan Haitham bin Tarik Al Said and his retinue in St George's Hall at Windsor Castle.

Kate wore an ethereal pale yellow Elie Saab gown with a cape detail and train, which she paired with her favourite Lover's Knot tiara, diamond earrings and a bracelet belonging to the late Queen Elizabeth. 

William was dressed for the occasion in a white tie with the Windsor tail coat, his Most Noble Order of the Garter Sash with the Lesser George and other medals and decorations.

On the same day, Prince Harry insisted he wants to reconcile with his family after denying he was taking a 'swipe' at his brother, William, when he said: 'Some people don't want to work it out.' 

The Duke of Sussex, who has not spoken to William for four years, admitted in an interview with GQ that he is grieving his 'complicated relationships' with the King and the Prince of Wales.   

It comes after Kate urged that 'spending quality time outdoors has never been more important' in a poignant message to parents.

Kate spoke from the heart about her lifelong initiative to better the lives of young children – urging parents to get youngsters to put down their phones and enjoy the great outdoors.

‘Nature is such an extraordinary environment for us all and, in this tech-driven, digital age, spending quality time outdoors has never been more important,' the future queen said in a video shared to the couple's official Instagram.

Kensington Palace also released a new series of portraits of Kate in the countryside taken by Josh Shinner.

The princess looked radiant in her favourite wax jacket, under which she wore a patterned jumper and pie-frill blouse. Her hair was styled in loose waves.

The video was filmed yesterday in Cornwall with the support of the Prince of Wales. Given that he runs The Duchy of Cornwall, Prince William is said to be taking a keen interest in the project.