The Duchess of Cambridge paid a visit to parents and staff at Kingston Hospital's maternity unit late last month (November 26-27).

HRH surprised recent parents and their newborns as she shadowed midwives and met with staff on their daily visits in the community over two days in November.

Kingston Hospital said that the Duchess was working to "highlight the impact of the early years of childhood has on lifelong health and happiness".

Surrey Comet: Handout photo released by Kensington Palace showing the Duchess of Cambridge with staff during the time in November she spent at Kingston Hospital’s Maternity Unit. Image: Kensington Palace/PA WireHandout photo released by Kensington Palace showing the Duchess of Cambridge with staff during the time in November she spent at Kingston Hospital’s Maternity Unit. Image: Kensington Palace/PA Wire

Frances Rivers, Homebirth Team Lead Midwife, Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, described her team's excitement at meeting the royal in person.

"We were thrilled and honoured to have The Duchess come out with us on our rounds visiting mothers who are planning or have had a home birth," she said.

"Several of the families discussed the challenges common to all new parents of managing a newborn’s round-the-clock needs with their own well-being and the adjustment required to daily life.

"During The Duchess’ visit to the maternity unit she sat in on our home birth team meeting and heard the stories of the families we care for.

"She learned what having a home birth involves - from the kit we bring to ensure the safety of mother and baby to the practicalities of setting up a birthing pool," Ms Rivers added.

Surrey Comet: Handout photo released by Kensington Palace showing the Duchess of Cambridge with staff during the time in November she spent at Kingston Hospital’s Maternity Unit. Image: Kensington Palace/PA WireHandout photo released by Kensington Palace showing the Duchess of Cambridge with staff during the time in November she spent at Kingston Hospital’s Maternity Unit. Image: Kensington Palace/PA Wire

Sally Brittain, Director of Nursing and Quality at Kingston Hospital, meanwhile thanked the Duchess for highlighting the work staff at the maternity unit do.

"It was an absolute pleasure for all of us to host The Duchess at Kingston Hospital, particularly as by throwing a spotlight on our work and the work of all midwives, we couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife 2020," she said.