While there, she toured the hospital's theatre suite, including the anesthetic room and recovery area.

She also met patients and their families, and was pictured having a chat with people sat in the hospital's waiting areas.

Among the staff she spent time with during her visit were nurses, health assistants and service chiefs.

The royal has close personal ties to the Frimley Health, the NHS hospital Trust, which runs Heatherwood.

Sophie gave birth to both of her children, Lady Louise Windsor, 19, and James, Viscount Severn, 15, at Frimley Park Hospital, which is also part of the healthcare group.