Britain's Prince William (L), Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales react as they meet healthcare staff during a visit to Charing Cross Hospital in west London on January 8, 2026, to highlight the work of NHS staff and volunteers.

Prince William and Kate Middleton at Charing Cross Hospital on Jan. 8, 2026.Credit : Isabel Infantes – WPA Pool/Getty

 

Kate Middleton just introduced Prince William to a hospital patient without any royal reference.

On Jan. 8, Princess Kate, 43, introduced her husband to a patient at Charing Cross Hospital in west London during their joint visit in just three words.

As seen in a video shared to X by Lizzie Robinson of ITV, the Princess of Wales politely said hello to a patient there, asked her name and made the connection between the woman and William, the heir to the throne.

“This is William,” Kate said.

The Prince of Wales, 43, then shook the patient’s hand and made her laugh with the quip, “We’ve come to interrupt your gym session.”

Prince William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales speak to a patient at the therapy gym during a visit to Charing Cross Hospital on January 8, 2026 in London, England.

Kate Middleton and Prince William at Charing Cross Hospital on Jan. 8, 2026.Isabel Infantes – WPA Pool/Getty

Prince William holds many titles — including the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cornwall and the Duke of Rothesay — but he and his wife don’t usually refer to themselves by their royal titles.

The modern royal couple instead refers to each other as William and Catherine. The Prince and Princess of Wales are also known to sign social messages that come directly from them as “W” or “C,” using their initials as shorthand for their first names.

William and Kate are the joint patrons of NHS Charities Together and stepped out together on Thursday to shine a light on the work of NHS staff and volunteers responding to an increased demand on services during the winter months.

The Prince of Wales, Joint Patron of NHS Charities Together, and the Princess of Wales during a visit to Charing Cross Hospital in West London.

Kate Middleton at Charing Cross Hospital on Jan. 8, 2026.Ryan Jenkinson / Kensington Palace

The Prince of Wales similarly introduced his wife without royal reference when they sat down for a roundtable with NHS Charity CEOs, trustees, policy makers and philanthropists to talk about the importance of philanthropy in the NHS, or National Health Service.

“Catherine and I just had a very nice tour around the rehabilitation unit upstairs and seeing some of the supporting structures and things put together by the NHS and Charities Together to kind of maintain staff welfare, patients, all things like that,” William said in a video shared by The Sun.

“Both of us have had different experiences with hospital — 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, the interactions,” he said. “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.”

Prince William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales make a visit to Charing Cross Hospital on January 8, 2026 in London, England.

Kate Middleton and Prince William at Charing Cross Hospital on Jan. 8, 2026.Isabel Infantes – WPA Pool/Getty

The Prince of Wales worked as an air ambulance pilot for the East Anglian Air Ambulance from 2015 to 2017 and has become a champion for first responders. His heartfelt remarks also alluded to his wife’s previous treatment for cancer.

In March 2024, Princess Kate shared that she was undergoing treatment for cancer and reduced her royal work. She said in September 2024 that she completed chemotherapy treatment and announced with “relief” in January 2025 that she was in remission.