A speech by The Duke of Cambridge at the opening of the Oak Centre for Children and Young People, Royal Marsden Hospital, Surrey

Thank you, Ian. Good afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen.

This place is inspirational.

I mean that in the truest sense of the word it inspires me.

It is not just the extraordinary professionalism and dedication of the Royal Marsden staff. It is not even the great courage and spirit of the children, young people and their families here at Sutton. It is a combination of the two, set in this wonderful environment. I always come away from the Royal Marsden feeling totally uplifted. Catherine and I will certainly do that today.

We are both so delighted to be here on this very special occasion the opening of the Oak Centre for Children and Young People. This facility promises to be an invaluable new addition to our world-leading hospital. Once again, the Royal Marsden is pushing the boundaries, raising standards of excellence and showing the way for others to follow.

All of us in this country should be immensely proud of the fundamental role the RMH plays in the global fight against cancer.  

The bright, positive environment, that the Oak Centre provides for the children and young people who come here, has only been made possible by the generosity of The Oak Foundation, The Teenage Cancer Trust and The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, including some key donors, several of whom are here today.

As President of the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for making the idea of this magnificent new centre become a reality.

It gives Catherine and me the greatest pleasure to declare the Oak Centre for Children and Young People open.