The Duchess of Cambridge appears in an online video appeal for children's hospice charities she supports.The Duchess of Cambridge has given her first ever video message to appeal for support for a campaign for children's hospices.

In the message, aired for the first time today, the Duchess urges people to support Children's Hospice Week.

The campaign, which runs until Friday, is run by UK children's palliative care charity Together for Short Lives.

In the video, which lasts just under two minutes, pregnant Kate, who is Royal Patron of East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH), says she has seen first-hand the 'transformational' work done for children and their families.

Wearing a black dress with a white Peter Pan collar, she says: 'As Patron of East Anglia's Children's Hospices I have been fortunate to see at first hand the remarkable work that they do for children and young people with life-limiting conditions, and their families. It is simply transformational.

'There are 49 children's hospice services across the UK, all providing similar invaluable and life-enhancing care to thousands of families.

'Children's Hospice Week is a time to recognise, celebrate and support the inspirational work of those hospices, and those who provide palliative care to these children and families.

'Children'.