Royal Charity Watch: Will & Kate Reach Out to Kids With Cancer

The royal couple join the fight against the big C

By Josh Grossberg Sep 19, 2011 2:30 PMTags
Prince William, Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate MiddletonREUTERS/David Moir

Princess Diana would be proud.

Taking a cue from his late mother who helped raise millions for various cancer charities throughout her life, Prince William and wife Kate Middleton have announced plans to attend the opening next month of a new children's cancer center at the U.K.'s Royal Marsden Hospital.

Call it a nice family tradition.

Like Lady Di, who often made low-key trips outside of the harsh media glare in support of such causes, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have quietly been researching exactly what good works they'd like to immerse themselves in as royal patrons.

After secretly dropping in on homeless shelters and other charities, it turns out the new Oak cancer Centre was close to Will and Kate's heart.

A rep for the royal couple tells E! the newlyweds will tour the facility's children's unit on Sept. 29, meeting with staff and patients while Will—who was appointed president of the London hospital in 2007—will unveil a plaque to officially inaugurate the center before they meet with doctors, key donors and fundraisers.

The selection of the cancer center was made at the behest of Kate, who has been spending much of her time under the radar stopping by homeless shelters and other charities, while Will, currently a lieutenant in the Royal Air Force, has been racking up flight hours as he works on obtaining the rank of captain as a search and rescue pilot.

"The Duchess is using the next few months to get to get to know a number of charitable and other causes better, so she can make well-informed decisions about her future role," a St. James's Palace spokesman said in a statement.

Royal insiders also People that the Duchess has "a broad range of interests" and that whatever she chooses "will be different to but complement her husband's existing interests."

No doubt, they'll choose wisely.