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Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein visits Canberra's Centenary Hospital for Women and Children

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Young patients at Canberra's Centenary Hospital for Women and Children were thrilled by a royal visit from Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein on Tuesday. 

The princess, daughter of the late King Hussein Bin Talal of Jordan and wife of the ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, was instrumental in creating the first children's hospital in the gulf.

While in Australia to see her team play the Socceroos in the world cup qualifier, her tour is part of an ongoing fact-finding mission to support best practice at Al Jalila Children's Specialty Hospital in Dubai

Corralled by a large entourage the princess spoke with families at Ronald McDonald House, to staff in the wards, teachers at the hospital school and with youngsters blowing bubbles and playing in the Starlight room. 

Francesca "Frankie" Dennis had been rushed to hospital for an appendectomy last Friday and was delighted, and a little gobsmacked, to sit next to a "real life princess" who was writing a letter to her school back in Jindabyne. 

There were plenty of chats, some cuddles and some football inspired gifts but what had the room laughing were several questions about whether the graceful royal, dressed in powder blue, was princess Elsa from the film Frozen

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"I have been asked that three times now," Princess Haya laughed. "I said I wanted to learn to stamp and make ice. It would work well for us in Dubai." 

The tour impressed the royal, particularly the concept of a hospital school offering continuity in learning to patients, no matter the duration of their stay.

"I think it is a wonderful hospital," she said. 

"The atmosphere is amazing. Everyone here has an incredible energy about them. It has been really impressive. I was really interested in the schooling system and looking at that, but also some way we can continue our conversation with Canberra from Dubai."