Princess Beatrice issues plea on skin protection after Sarah Ferguson's cancer diagnosis

The King's niece, a non-working royal, met Year Five pupils at St Mary's and St John's Primary School to discuss the importance of protecting skin from sun damage and potential skin cancers later in life.

The visit was made as part of Beatrice's role as the Patron of the British Skin Foundation, a position now perhaps closer to her heart following her mother, Sarah Ferguson's, skin cancer diagnosis just months after the Duchess of York was treated for breast cancer.

Sarah, 64, had a mole removed from her body earlier this year, which tests found to be a malignant melanoma, the most serious type of skin cancer.

On Thursday, Beatrice wore a £295 floral midi dress from Me + Em.

The brand has proven popular amongst royal women, with Zara Tindall, Princess Kate and Meghan Markle wearing the Firm's designs.

Beatrice looked to be in her element as she accepted a bouquet from pupils, before chatting to them in an assembly about the importance of UV protection.

Beatrice, who has at least four patronages, including Forget Me Not Children's Hospice, York Musical Society and Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity, became Patron of the British Skin Foundation in 2023.

The UK charity, founded in 1996, raises funds for research into all types of skin diseases, including skin cancer.

It has supported 400 research projects and awarded £17,000,000 in funding, according to its website.

Beatrice's mother, Fergie, is now looking to the future after she was diagnosed with breast cancer last summer and underwent a mastectomy.

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Six months later, she was found to have skin cancer.

Although doctors advised the Duchess of York not to use the phrase "cancer-free", the outlook is positive and Sarah is no longer undergoing treatment.

Now, she has written a new children's book, titled "Flora and Fern: Wonder in the Woods", due to be published in October.