PRINCESS Kate and Prince William shared a sweet moment as they surprised NHS heroes during the hospital staff’s tea break to thank them for their hard work.

The Prince of Wales was due to visit Charing Cross Hospital on his own for his first engagement since the Christmas break to show support as hospitals deal with huge numbers of patients during winter.

But in a last-minute change, he was joined at the hospital in West London by the Princess of Wales, who celebrates her 44th birthday tomorrow.

Kate and her husband shared a sweet moment with a volunteer who worked with chemotherapy patients during the surprise visit.

The volunteer health worker told the royals how patients and visitors are often at the bedside “for hours.”

Kate, whose cancer is in remission, said: “I know.”

In a heart-warming moment, she then touched William’s arm and said: “We know.”

William also sat with NHS charity CEOs, Trustees and health leaders to chat about philanthropy in the NHS.

It is understood the joint visit was to acknowledge the incredible work of NHS staff over a difficult winter period.

The royal couple stunned hard-working health heroes after arriving in the canteen.

Wills and Kate then joined a surprise tea party for volunteers and staff to say thank you for their hard work.

The visit is understood to be the royal couple’s first public engagement of 2024.

Volunteers said “wow” as William and Kate, in a burgundy suit, arrived.

Walking into the room, William said: “Happy New Year” and jokingly checked his watch, saying: “Can we still say that?”

Maureen Gilmour, 86, who has been a volunteer for three years and works in chemotherapy said: “They are so sweet everyone was really positive, I have to say I love it.”

The volunteers spoke about their working days and dealing with patients.

Kate spoke about it being “quite a daunting experience.”

She said it was vital the staff “Have that support from you [volunteers] as a team.”

William told the hospital workers: “You should be very proud of giving your time and knowing what to say and not to say is a skill.”

Speaking about their experiences to staff, the Prince of Wales added: “Catherine and I had a very nice tour around the rehabilitation unit upstairs and saw some of the supporting structures and things put together by the NHS and charities to kind of maintain staff welfare.

“Both of us have had different experiences with hospitals.

“Me working with the air ambulance, Catherine with her recent health journey and coming here today and reminding ourselves just how important all the teams are, all the staff, the patients.

“It’s so heartwarming and it’s so important that we kind of acknowledge and appreciate all that goes on in the NHS and that very strong bond between patient and carer.”

The volunteers also told the royals about their working days and dealing with patients.

William hailed the staff for being “diligent” and Kate celebrated the “interaction” between patients and volunteers.

The tea party room was paid for by Imperial Health Charity, which is a member of NHS Charities Together, which Kate and William are joint patrons of.

They took on the role during the COVID pandemic.

Kate, who 13 months ago revealed her cancer was in remission, and Wills gave a surprise helping hand at a London hospital amid warnings of NHS responding to increased demand over winter.

They also joined activities for patients in neuro-rehabilitation, including a therapy gym and arts room and were serenaded by a harpist, funded by the charity.

They later sat with NHS charity CEOs, Trustees and health leaders to chat about philanthropy in the NHS.

As they left the couple met with other NHS staff who had waited to meet the royals.

Kate said to them: “There’s amazing work going on here.”

William said: “You guys keep it all going.”

Kate added: “It makes a big difference to patients.”

NHS Charities Together represents over 220 NHS charities based in every NHS Trust and Health Board across the UK, giving £1.5 million every day to the NHS, for innovation, care and support staff wellbeing.

Money is invested in state-of-the-art equipment, buildings, green spaces and arts projects.

It was hosted by Ellie Orton OBE, CEO of NHS Charities Together, with clinicians, patients and volunteers

In late November, the Prince of Wales visited severely ill children from Gaza who are being treated by the NHS in the UK.

The public health service started offering specialist care to children from the war-torn strip in September this year as part of a UK government humanitarian mission.

Fifty children are receiving treatment in Britain as of November 21, Department of Health and Social Care statistics said.

The Prince of Wales had been “moved by the courage shown by the children and their families”, a Kensington Palace spokesman said.