Kate comforts sick children during hospital visit

ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION)

STORY: Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge bought smiles to sick children's faces in Liverpool as she toured a hospital and charity which provides a home away from home for families of recovering youngsters.

At Ronald McDonald House, which provides accommodation so families can stay near their ill children, Kate chatted to parents and staff and made sure to emulate Diana, the Princess of Wales' habit of bending down to talk to children directly.

She helped a young boy unveil a plaque at the charity before heading off to nearby Alder Hey Children's Hospital to tour the oncology and burns units.

There she moved from bed to bed comforting youngsters, playing with their soft toys and looking through the many Valentine's cards the children had made. One even featured a picture of the Duchess from her wedding to Prince William last April.

Kate is spending Valentine's day alone, as Prince William is on exercises in the Falklands Islands as a search and rescue pilot.

It was revealed in the press that he had sent her flowers and a card and that the couple have a new puppy to keep Kate company whilst her husband is away.

But the Cocker Spaniel's name has been kept under wraps by the couple. However one young patient Kate talked to at the hospital was privileged to be told the royal secret.

"It was really good meeting her. She was really friendly and she asked me how I am doing and what I've been through. And she also told me about her dog. She told me it was a black cocker spaniel," said Elliot Casey, adding that Kate had told him the dog's name, but he'd promised to keep it secret.