Kate Middleton was announced as patron of Tŷ Hafan in January
Diana, Princess of Wales; Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales.Credit : Anwar Hussein/Getty; RICHARD POHLE/POOL/AFP via Getty
When Princess Diana’s top aide, Patrick Jephson, received a damages payment from the BBC following the treatment of him during the securing and making of the infamous Panorama interview with his former royal boss, he knew exactly where to donate the money.
He poignantly chose a cause that Diana had backed in the last years of her life, a children’s hospice in Wales.
Diana had supported the creation of the much-needed hospice, Tŷ Hafan — she helped raise funds for it, and it was completed in 1999, two years after her sudden death. In January this year, the hospice was adopted by today’s Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, who is now a patron.
Jephson had received the payment after the BBC apologized for the “serious harm” caused to him after the 1995 interview with Diana, which was found to have been obtained through “deceitful methods” by journalist Martin Bashir, although at the time Diana believed it was Jephson who had deceived her.
Tŷ Hafan, meaning “Haven House” in Welsh, used Jephson’s generous donation to renovate and rebuild their non-denominational Sanctuary, where families and carers can retreat to have some peace amid treatment.
Kath Keeble was supported by the hospice after the passing of her son Tommy, who died at just eight days old. She said, “I regularly use the Sanctuary as a place to remember Tommy whenever I am at the hospice.
Patrick Jephson with Princess Diana.Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images
“The Sanctuary is so peaceful, and it’s right next to the Memorial Garden and away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of Tŷ Hafan. You can see out of the windows, but from the gardens, you can’t see into it, so it very much gives you a great sense of privacy when you’re in there.”
Kath, a community mental health worker, adds, “And it’s just a lovely, calming space where you can remember, and be at peace, and it fits in very well as a place of remembrance at Tŷ Hafan.”
Princess Kate visiting Ty Hafan near Cardiff in South Wales in Jan. 2025.Richard Pohle – WPA Pool/Getty
Like most hospices in the sector, Tŷ Hafan relies on the support of the donation-giving public. Today, on Nov 25, there is a unique chance for supporters to double their money through the urgent Every Precious Life appeal, where any donations made before 5 p.m. ET (10 p.m. U.K. time) will be doubled by match-funders.
In January, Princess Kate, 43, who has championed children’s hospices around the U.K. for much of her public life, proudly took on the patronage of Tŷ Hafan. At the time of her appointment, Kate, 43, spent time with children who are cared for at the hospice, as well as their families. She also took part in a “stay and play” session, in which the children enjoyed meaningful play and activities alongside their care.
Seeing how Tŷ Hafan helps the children and families in a holistic manner, Princess Kate was introduced to bereaved families supported by the hospice throughout their children’s lives, deaths, and beyond.
Then, in June, she shared a message during Children’s Hospice Week, praising the work that Tŷ Hafan does for families and kids with life-limiting conditions.
The new book by Andy Webb, Dianarama about the interview and the cover-up and investigation that followed.Pegasus Books
Today, a book by investigative journalist Andy Webb Dianarama: Deception, Entrapment, Cover-Up—The Betrayal of Princess Diana (out Nov. 25) that sheds new light on the scandal and cover-up and lays bare for the first time the full scope of BBC journalist Bashir’s manipulation. The book is something of a comfort to Jephson, who had resigned from Diana’s office in January 1996, not knowing why the princess had turned against him.
“It is chilling to rerun those events,” Jephson tells PEOPLE, “and feel that Diana was seeing me as the enemy within.”
