On Tuesday morning the Countess of Wessex called on a charity that holds a special place in her heart, Shooting Star Chase. Sophie was visiting in her role as the charity's royal patron and had the opportunity to meet some of the children and young people who are being cared for at Christopher's Hospice in Guildford.
Crouching down to speak to one little boy Nathan, Sophie looked visibly moved during her visit. The Countess – who has two children of her own Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn – spoke to the red-haired cutie, who was excited to meet the royal guest of honour.
Sophie was also pictured meeting an eight-year-old patient Miles, who was being given an impromptu camera lesson by one carer.
Sophie met one young patient Nathan who is being cared for by the charity
As the charity was celebrating its 15th birthday, Sophie joined the children in decorating biscuits and cakes, followed by the blowing out of the birthday cake.
Prince Edward's wife has been patron of the children's charity for over a decade. She opened the Guildford hospice in 2002 and has since been a regular visitor to the branch as well as its second hospice, the Shooting Star House in Hampton.
The charity looks after babies and youngsters with life-limiting conditions, and their families, and is supported by a number of celebrities including Simon Cowell and Dame Joan Collins, who are also patrons.
The royal helped celebrate the charity's 15th birthday
In 2012 Sophie made an informal visit to the Hampton hospice, where she met four families and spent time chatting with them about their individual experiences. The children were busy making arts and crafts to help decorate the hospice ready for the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, and gave Sophie some of the materials they had made.
The Queen's daughter-in-law also visited the Music Therapy room, where she joined in a sing-a-long session with the kids.
Sophie was pictured decorating cakes and biscuits with the children
At the time, David King, CEO of Shooting Star Chase said: "It is always a great honour for Shooting Star Chase to have HRH The Countess of Wessex visiting us. She spent lots of time talking with the children, families and volunteers and I know how much they appreciated her visit."
