After months of ongoing love and support from the world as she battles her cancer diagnosis, Catherine, Princess of Wales, is returning the favor. She penned a rare, emotional message today in honor of those who have suffered from the loss of a child. Kate took to her and Prince William’s social media accounts to post in commemoration of Baby Loss Awareness Week, which is observed in the U.K. from October 9 to October 15.
“Baby Loss Awareness Week is such an important moment to support those who have experienced the devastation of baby loss. Sending love, strength and hope to anyone affected,” she wrote, signing off as “C” for Catherine and including the #WaveofLight.
Along with her message, she posted a photo of a lit candle from the British brand Plum & Ashby. The glowing candle was adorned with a sticker reading “wave of light,” along with illustrations of stars.
The “Wave of Light” is a global campaign that invites participants to light a candle at 7 p.m. local time and burn it for at least one hour in remembrance of all the babies who have passed.
Baby Loss Awareness Week evolved from Baby Loss Awareness Day in the U.K. in 2002. According to its official website, it was founded by a group of parents who were inspired by Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Day on October 15 in the U.S. The Baby Loss Awareness Week Alliance works to support bereaved parents and families, raise awareness about pregnancy and baby loss, and advance care surrounding prevention of pregnancy and baby loss.
The cause is something the princess holds close to her chest as a mother. She and William, of course, have three children: Price George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6. It also hits close to home, as several members of the royal family have been affected by baby loss. Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, experienced an ectopic pregnancy in 2001; Zara Tindall revealed in 2018 she had a second miscarriage before her daughter Lena was born; and Meghan Markle shared she also had a miscarriage the summer of 2020, a year after Prince Archie was born.