Kate Middleton wears Karen Millen dress at Royal Surrey County Hospital

The Princess of Wales looked stunning in yellow today as she visited an award-winning maternity unit at a hospital in Surrey.

Mother-of-three Kate, 41, looked radiant on arrival in the mustard £220 Karen Millen dress at the Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford, where she will learn more about the support it provides to pregnant women and new mothers.

Her Royal Highness accessorised the bright yellow dress, which had echoes of summer, with contrasting navy suede court stilettos and a navy clutch bag.

Her brunette locks, worn in curls and tucked behind one ear, bounced in the breeze as she strolled up to the entrance of the hospital. 

The Princess wore simple and understated silver hoops with a teardrop and opted for just a touch of make-up with a neutral lip shade and minimal eyeshadow. 

The Princess of Wales, 41, looked radiant in a mustard £220 Karen Millen dress an as she arrived at the maternity unit in Surrey this afternoon

The mother-of-three wore her brunette locks down in a curled style and brushed behind one ear as she attended the maternity unit

The mother-of-three wore her brunette locks down in a curled style and brushed behind one ear as she attended the maternity unit

The maternity unit, which cares for around 3,000 babies every year, received a UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative Gold Award in May for its outstanding work supporting infant-feeding and parent-infant relationships. 

The unit’s ethos is that high-quality maternity and early years care can improve long-term health of the population – a belief the Princess of Wales champions in her work with the Centre for Early Childhood.

This is a solo trip for Her Royal Highness as her husband Prince William carries out his own duties today – meeting young footballers at a training session at St George’s Park. 

The Princess is due to meet staff from the unit’s Jasmine Team, which helps women affected by mental illness during pre and post-natal periods – something that one in five women in the UK are affected by.

The Princess, who has recently become patron of the Maternal Mental Health Alliance, is said to be passionate about the mental wellbeing of mothers. 

After taking on the role with the charity, the Princess released a video stressing the importance of ensuring good mental health among mothers.

She said: ‘We all know that pregnancy, childbirth and the first months and years of ta child’s live can be hugely demanding. 

Her Royal Highness looked professional and regal as ever as she chatted with a member of staff at the hospital in Guildford, which has won an award for its maternity care

Her Royal Highness looked professional and regal as ever as she chatted with a member of staff at the hospital in Guildford, which has won an award for its maternity care

The Princess of Wales chats to a staff member

The Princess of Wales chats to a staff member

Mother-of-three Kate looked deep in conversation early on in her visit to the award-winning maternity unit as she greeted a staff member on arrival

A warm welcome! The Princess of Wales appeared thrilled as crowds assembled to greet her at the maternity unit of the Royal Surrey County Hospital

A warm welcome! The Princess of Wales appeared thrilled as crowds assembled to greet her at the maternity unit of the Royal Surrey County Hospital

Princess of Wales in Karen Millen dress

Princess of Wales in Karen Millen dress

The Princess of Wales looked radiant as she championed the high street once again in the yellow Karen Millen dress, which was belted at the waist with a structured top and pleated skirt

Her Royal Highness flashed a smile for the camera as she walked into the unit while carrying her navy blue clutch bag, which contrasted with her bright yellow dress

Her Royal Highness flashed a smile for the camera as she walked into the unit while carrying her navy blue clutch bag, which contrasted with her bright yellow dress

The Princess's thick curled hair bounced in the breeze as she walked into the hospital, where she is due to meet with midwives and women who have been supported by the unit

The Princess’s thick curled hair bounced in the breeze as she walked into the hospital, where she is due to meet with midwives and women who have been supported by the unit

Kate's dress, belted at the middle, was a bright, summery flash of colour on a dreary autumn day as she arrived at the unit in the Royal Surrey County Hospital

Kate’s dress, belted at the middle, was a bright, summery flash of colour on a dreary autumn day as she arrived at the unit in the Royal Surrey County Hospital

The Princess of Wales

The Princess of Wales

The Princess gave a warm smile to crowds who were ready to greet her at the hospital as she takes on the solo royal visit while her husband William carries out his own duties

The Princess, who has spoken about the importance of preserving the mental wellbeing of mothers in the past, will meet with teams who cater for new mothers

The Princess, who has spoken about the importance of preserving the mental wellbeing of mothers in the past, will meet with teams who cater for new mothers 

As patron of the Maternal Mental Health Alliance, the Princess will learn how teams at the hospital are supporting new and expectant mothers

As patron of the Maternal Mental Health Alliance, the Princess will learn how teams at the hospital are supporting new and expectant mothers 

The Princess accessorised her bright yellow dress with navy suede court stilettos and a navy clutch bag to contrast her outfit

 The Princess accessorised her bright yellow dress with navy suede court stilettos and a navy clutch bag to contrast her outfit

The Princess made the most of the milder weather as she wore the short-sleeved dress which harked back to the summer on her arrival

The Princess made the most of the milder weather as she wore the short-sleeved dress which harked back to the summer on her arrival

Her Royal Highness accessorised with a black clutch bag which she held in front of her, with her engagement ring on show

 Her Royal Highness accessorised with a black clutch bag which she held in front of her, with her engagement ring on show

Her Royal Highness brought an instant flash of colour as she stepped out of her car in the bright yellow dress from Karen Millen

Her Royal Highness brought an instant flash of colour as she stepped out of her car in the bright yellow dress from Karen Millen 

‘Parents often feel lonely and overwhelmed by these early years.’ 

She added: ‘No one is immune to experiencing anxiety and depression during this time.’

As she announced her patronage with the Maternal Mental Health Alliance, she said she was ‘extremely proud’ to be working with the charity.

The Princess concluded: ‘It is down to each and every one of us to support parents and carers and all those who are raising children today.’

While speaking with the Jasmine Team, Her Royal Highness will learn about how they team up with local services to support each woman’s individual needs. She will also meet with a mother who has been supported by the team in the past.

The Princess will also visit the unit’s Postnatal Bay, which aims to support as many mothers as possible to receive consistent care throughout both pregnancy and childbirth with the same team of midwives.

One of the more sensitive parts of the Princess’s visit will be to the Special Care Baby Unit, which cares for premature babies and supports their families. She will also meet with a family whose child was cared for in the unit.

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