THE Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, met cardiac patients at a new medical centre at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

The Mittal Children’s Medical Centre, which has 240 beds, will provide brand-new wards for sick children with en-suite bedrooms so parents can stay overnight. The centre will use the latest heart devices which help patients while they wait for a transplant.

The Duchess said: “It’s been wonderful to meet so many families and young people and I’ve been so inspired by their bravery and courage at such a difficult time.”

Her Royal Highness wore a striking red coat, similar to that worn by Captain Hook, at the Peter Pan-funded NHS hospital. JM Barrie famously left the profits from her fairytale classic to the Bloomsbury NHS trust.