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Prince William shows his mother's touch
Last updated at 23:07pm on 20.09.06
Born again: Prince William back at the hospital where it all began
Prince William demonstrated he had inherited his mother's tender touch yesterday as he cradled a permature baby on a visit to a hospital.
At first William, 24, had been reluctant to hold three-week- old Sina Nuru, protesting that she was barely bigger than his hand.
But after being persuaded by staff at the special care baby unit in St Mary's Hospital, Paddington, West London, to give it a go, he proved to be a natural.
'She's so sweet, very nice and calm,' he said of the 5lb twin, before noticing her vest which had the words 'Little Princess' printed on it. 'Who got the t- shirt for her?' he asked with a grin.
The visit, a rare royal outing for William, was something of a personal
one. Both he and Prince Harry were born at the hospital while his greatgrandmother, the Queen Mother, was patron of it for more than 70 years.
His mother Princess Diana also visited several times - the last occasion four months before she died.
Yesterday William met nursery nurse Ann Mason who recalled seeing the princess holding one of theunit's premature babies as well.
'I haven't got the same touch with the babies as she used to have,' said William. 'They usually start crying when I pick them up.'
Fortunately, however, Sina and her twin brother Sem did nothing more than gurgle slightly and William
even confidently re-arranged their feeding tubes.
'He was very at ease with the babies,' Mrs Mason said. 'He's got the same touch as her, the same manner.'
During a visit to the Winnicott Unit, which was being reopened after refurbishment, William met some of the most critically ill newborns in the country - including a boy born weighing 1lb 7oz.
Afterwards, he went on a brief walkabout. A well-wisher asked if the visit had made him broody. 'Broody? I don't know about that - not yet,' he laughed.
Reader views (6)
When I see Prince William on the TV, I nearly always say "God bless him".
I think he is a wonderful bloke, (not just because he reminds me of my son)! He is a genuine person and I think if he is not pestered and picked on for everything he does wrong, he will be very good news for this country. He is, after all, human and makes mistakes, but he is trying very hard to do an almost more difficult job in today's climate than previous ones. The fact that he lost his mother at an early age, and the media coverage since would send any person out of their mind, but he and Harry have done well. God bless them both.
- Teresa Bates, Widnes, England
Seems good with children as was his mother, a good sign a good man to be king.
- Roberta Joncas, Edmonton, Alberta
He is truly a prince, and demonstrates warmth and an endearing genuinity.
Both royal sons are truly a beauty on our earth blessing us all ... thank you, Princess Diana.
- Alice, Haliburton Highlands Canada
Gazing at Prince William tenderly holding this fragile infant inspires love and warm feelings and fond memories of our beloved Princess Diana. She brought two extraordiary sons into this world.
- Alice, Haliburton Highlands Canada
As the future king, he has inherited great values his mum would be proud of. A great example for everyone!
- Chinta, Geneva, Switzerland
That is probably the sweetest picture I have seen of him in a long time.
I am so happy he is starting to do more royal engagements.
- Varya, US
