Prince William, the Prince of Wales, recently visited severely ill children evacuated from Gaza and now receiving medical care in the UK, Kensington Palace confirmed. The visit underscores the Prince’s commitment to humanitarian issues and “more empathetic leadership around the world.”
The first evacuations of sick children and their families began in september, with fifty patients and their immediate family members now under the care of the National health Service. The government, working with partners, facilitated the medical evacuations over the autumn months, providing care in “surroundings that are safe and welcoming,” according to a government spokesperson.
During the visit, Prince William offered comfort to the young patients who have ”endured experiences no child should ever face,” and expressed his gratitude to the NHS teams providing care. A Palace spokesperson stated that the Prince was “moved by the courage shown by the children and their families and by the dedication of the team who are supporting them with such professionalism and humanity.”
The Prince’s focus on humanitarian work was highlighted in a recent episode of the documentary series *The Reluctant Traveller*,where he told presenter Eugene Levy,”change is on my agenda,change for good…Not overly radical change,but change that needs to happen.” He also unveiled a global memorial for humanitarian aid workers in October,delivering a speech on humanitarian values.
The evacuations and the Prince’s visit occur against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. israel launched a military operation in Gaza following attacks by Hamas-led militants based in the Palestinian territory on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the abduction of 251 others. As then, at least 70,100 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry. A ceasefire was called on October 10.
