A children’s charity is one of only three charities to benefit from The Duchess of Cambridge naming a cruise liner the ‘Royal Princess’.

East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices’ (EACH) patron, The Duchess of Cambridge, is set to become godmother of the luxury liner as part of the official naming ceremony in Southampton today.

Staff and representatives from EACH, which has a hospice in Ipswich, will be joined by more than 100 of the charity’s supporters from across Suffolk, Essex, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire, all helping to raise more than £50,000 in donations.

Graham Butland, chief executive of EACH, said: “Our Royal Patronage has provided us with many great benefits including raising awareness and understanding of our services, boosting our media profile and inspiring the community to pledge their support.

“EACH is also delighted to be able to share special occasions like this with our generous supporters, while raising funds at the same time. We’re delighted Her Royal Highness has invited a family from EACH to be part of the naming ceremony.”

The Duchess of Cambridge has invited the Rowbotham family, from Milton near Cambridge, who received care and support from EACH, to join in with the celebrations.

Alie Rowbotham will be attending the naming ceremony along with her children Izzie, 15, and Charlie, eight, and their dad Mick.

Mrs Rowbotham, whose son George was diagnosed with a brain tumour in July 2003, said: “Izzie and Charlie will be giving the scissors to HRH The Duchess of Cambridge to cut the ribbon.

“We’re all very excited about meeting The Duchess of Cambridge and very proud and honoured to be representing EACH. We’re very passionate about the work EACH does with children and their families, having experienced the difference that it makes first hand.

“The hospice really is a place for living with so much to offer – George especially loved the sessions in the swimming pool and sensory room. It was a place where he could live, rather than being ill all the time. He had lost his sparkle when he was in hospital but at the hospice he shone again and those memories we will remember forever.”