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William & Kate Opening a Children's Cancer Center

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Prince William is introducing his wife to a charity close to his heart.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will open a children's cancer center at the Royal Marsden Hospital later this month. William, 29, has followed in his mother, Princess Diana's footsteps by taking on the role of president of the London hospital.

The royal couple's office announced on Monday that they will visit the center on Sept. 29, where they will be given a tour of the unit, meet the staff and patients, and William will unveil a plaque to officially open the center.


The opening is part of Kate's ongoing immersion in royal charity work. "The Duchess is using the next few months to get to get to know a number of charitable and other causes better, so she can make well informed decisions about her future role," says a spokesman.

Palace sources have also confirmed to PEOPLE that Kate, 29, is currently undergoing quiet, private visits to charities to figure out what sorts of causes she will pursue. "The Duchess has a broad range of interests," adds the spokesman. And the causes she chooses to work with, "will be different to but complement her husband’s existing interests."

William and Kate have been spending most of their time in North Wales where he is hoping to reach the rank of captain in his Royal Air Force Search and Rescue squadron. The newlyweds also visited the Balmoral estate, spending time with Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip over the weekend of September 11.