A RUNCORN schoolgirl was excited to meet the Duchess of Cambridge in London.

Ruby Lyon presented flowers to Kate Middleton when she visited The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) on Tuesday to become its patron.

The eight-year-old St Berteline's CE Primary School pupil was invited to hand a posy to the royal visitor as a gesture of thanks for her mum's involvement with the organisation.

Ruby was only 10 weeks old when her brother Harry, died aged 18 months, after suffering profound brain damage due to lack of oxygen at birth.

Ruby's mum Nicky says Ruby's presence helped the whole family to live again after experiencing the most terrible grief.

Nicky, from Norton, a parent representative on the RCOG's Each Baby Count Advisory Board, said: "Ruby was thrilled to meet he Duchess.

"It was an exciting day. The Duchess asked Ruby her name and told her that she loved the flowers.

"Ruby met lots of professors and doctors. It was her first visit to see all the sights in London.

The Duchess has vowed to do all she can to tackle the stigma around women's health, particularly maternal mental health.

Nicky added: "She has shown huge interest in women's health and wants to get more involved."

Professor Lesley Regan, president of the RCOG, said: "We are very grateful to Her Royal Highness whose support will help to raise our profile as a medical charity that champions the provision of high quality women's healthcare at home and beyond.

"As a young mother we know that maternal health and wellbeing is an issue close to the Duchess's heart.

"We hope that this new relationship will build on our work to improve healthcare for women everywhere and ensure that women's views on the care they receive are at the heart of everything we do."