Kate and William choke back the tears on visit to Bear Cottage hospice #CarryGobySeanKellz #FutureGroupNG via @i_amreginaldjr

THE Duke and Duchess of Cambridge fought back tears today after meeting parents of a dying baby boy almost the same age as Prince George.

Kate sang Twinkle Twinkle Little Star with some of the children[GETTY]

Tears welled up in William and Kate's eyes as they met 10 and a half-month-old Max McIntyre at the Bear Cottage Hospice in Manly, Sydney.
Max, who was in perfectly good health until developing bacterial meningitis six weeks ago, has suffered brain damage and doctors have given him only weeks to live.
William and Kate struggled to keep their composure as they met the blond youngster and his parents.
William, 31, later said: "I welled up and was really worried I would start crying.
"Once I started I wouldn't I have stopped, so it took a great effort to control myself.
"He's a similar age to George - it was extremely moving."
The royal couple met his parents when they went to Bear Cottage, a children's hospice in Manly, a northern suburb of Sydney, which provides palliative care for sick and dying young people.
The Duchess is royal patron of East Anglia's Children's Hospices and is on a crusade to highlight best practice around the world.
The royal couple met a number of families at Bear Cottage - but it was the experience of journalists Amy and Rob McIntyre that brought them to tears.

 

Photographer Amy, 28, said: "Kate and William were fighting back tears when we told them about Max.
"They could totally see themselves in us, as both our sons were born around the same time.
"Kate stroked Max's leg and they were both very moved.
"They struggled to hold back tears-they were welling up.
"Obviously it was lovely meeting them, and they are very charming and caring.
"But meeting them was obviously bitter sweet-we'd give anything not to be here.
"Max has touched many hearts and he obviously touched them"
Max is Rob and Amy's first child-and he was healthy until nine months old.
Rob, a sub-editor, said: "He was born perfectly fine but then on the exact day he was nine months, he had a temperature and vomited.
"The hospital said it was viral and sent us home-two days later he had a series of massive strokes and was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis."
Amy said: "It still feels very surreal.
"Initially they said Max just had days to live, then perhaps weeks and now maybe months.

Bear Cottage provides provides palliative care for sick and dying young people [GETTY ]

"We've been at Bear Cottage for a month, and it's been great as we can stay here as a whole family and Max can get the treatment he needs.
"It's just a case of keeping him comfortable and if something happens, we'll let nature take its course."
The Duchess unveiled a picture, made with handprints and footprints of the children at the hospice - and Max's feet had been used to create much of it.
Kate also spoke to Daniel Howarth,16 and his parents.
She admired his Chelsea shirt and England cricket hat.
Dad Mike said: "She was lovely and asking all about Daniel and his thoughts on he cricket World Cup.
"Daniel has been coming here for ten years and it's a great place.
"He was born with a chronic lung disorder and cerebral palsy.
"But he loved meeting Kate and managed a big smile."
After meeting some newly-hatched chicks, that staff use as pets for the children, Kate went into the garden for a sing-a-long.
She sang Twinkle Twinkle Little Star with a a number of kids and their siblings. And she banged a drum, and looked delighted to take part in the singing.
She met Isabella Hannay, 12, who is wheelchair bound, stroking her hand and her hair.
Mum Lynne Chillemi said: "It was lovely. They were both very relaxed and there was so much laughter.
"She wanted to know how Isabella was and took such an interest."
Both William and Kate spoke to bereaved parents, as well as meeting hospice staff.
They spent so much time there, they ran behind schedule-but wanted to meet as many families and children as possible.
In her first speech of the tour, Kate said: "It really is wonderful to be here today - having the chance to meet you all and to see the incredible work of Bear Cottage," she said in her first speech of the tour.
"First class delivery of children's palliative care is life changing.
"When families are confronted with the shattering news that their children have a life limiting condition, their world can fall apart.  It is at those times that professional support is imperative. "
The Duchess also thanked Australians for the warm welcome she and Prince George have received when she gave her first speech Down Under today.
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, his wife Margie and the new New South Wales Premier Mike Baird welcomed the couple to Bear Cottage, one of only two children's hospices in Australia.
The other is Hummingbird House in Brisbane.