The Princess of Wales spoke to primary school pupils in east London about the importance of connections as she kicked off Place2Be’s Children’s Mental Health Week today.
Kate Middleton, 41, discussed being honest about how you feel as she sat and coloured with the youngsters at St John’s CE Primary School in Bethnal Green.
In a video showing the royal building paperchains with the students, she smiled during the candid chat with her young audience.
The mother-of-three was effortlessly elegant in a chic striped black-and-white jumper from Arket perfect for the late winter weather in what has been a busy week for the royal – last week, Kate launched her ‘Shaping Us’ early years campaign.
She wore her chestnut tresses down and styled in relaxed waves, keeping the make-up minimal, with rosy lipstick and peachy blush.
Kate Middleton, 41, discussed the importance of opening up about how you feel as she sat and coloured with the kids at St John’s CE Primary School in Bethnal Green
Kate kept her accessories simple, opting for simple golden earrings to complement her sophisticated look.
One pupil told the Princess that ‘connecting releases our emotions to other people that we care about’.
Another told the Duchess of Cornwall that they manage difficult feelings by ‘taking deep breaths in’ and then ‘drinking a glass of water’.
Kate encouraged the children to keep talking about their feelings and to continue to check in on each other.
The Princess of Wales donned a blue apron to protect her clothing as she made paper chains with the children
In a video showing the royal building paperchains with the students, she smiled during the candid chat with her young audience
The mother-of-three was effortlessly elegant in a chic striped black and white jumper perfect for the late winter weather
She wore her chestnut tresses down and styled in relaxed waves, keeping the make-up minimal, with rosy lipstick and peachy blush
One pupil told the Princess that ‘connecting releases our emotions to other people that we care about’
‘I’m delighted to be supporting children’s mental health week yet again,’ she said. ‘It’s been wonderful to speak to so many children here about the importance of connections and the important people in their lives too.’
The Princess has supported Children’s Mental Health Week since it was launched by Place2Be in 2015. The theme of this year’s is ‘Let’s Connect’.
The charity’s Chief Executive, Catherine Roche, said: ‘We are delighted to have the support of our Royal Patron HRH The Princess of Wales to help shine a spotlight on the importance of supporting mental health from an early age.
‘As the children of St John’s Primary have shown, taking part in activities and having positive conversations that help us connect with others, make us feel so much better.
Another told the Duchess of Cornwall that they manage difficult feelings by ‘taking deep breaths in’ and then ‘drinking a glass of water’
Kate encouraged the children to keep talking about their feelings and to continue to check in on each other
The Princess has supported Children’s Mental Health Week since it was launched by Place2Be in 2015. The theme of this year’s is ‘Let’s Connect’
Kate sported a striped jumper as she enjoyed sitting down with the children at a primary school
‘This Children’s Mental Health Week we are encouraging everyone to make time to connect.’
It comes as the Princess of Wales shared a sweet baby picture of herself with her father as she launched her campaign to shine a spotlight on the ‘early years’ of childhood.
A joyful young Kate is pictured with her father Michael Middleton in a never-before-seen photograph taken by her mother Carole.
In the image, Kate reaches towards her father’s face – and royal fans are already drawing comparisons to the royal’s youngest son, four-year-old Louis.
Kate grinned as she enjoyed speaking with the children about the importance of connections and relationships
The group made paper chains as they worked on a project ahead of Children’s Mental Health Week together
The children got their hands on paints and paper to make crafts as they met with the Duchess of Cambridge
Kate donned an apron as she sat down to talk about feelings, and the importance of making connections, with the children
The Princess of Wales used a colour wheel to discuss how certain emotions make the children feel
Kate spoked about the importance of Children’s Mental Health Week as she visited a primary school
Kate helped the children make paper chains as they talked about the importance of connections
It comes as the mother-of-three kicked off her new ‘Shaping Us’ initiative last week, with a glitzy reception at BAFTA in London.
The campaign hopes to ‘raise awareness of the life-changing impact we can have, when we build a supportive, nurturing world around children and those who care for them’ in their early years.
Sharing the new photograph on social media, Kate said ‘faces are a baby’s best toy’.
She added: ‘This weekend, we’d love for you all to spend time with your friends, families, colleagues and communities talking about your early childhoods and how they’ve shaped your lives.
‘I hope you’ll also consider joining me in sharing a picture of yourselves before your fifth birthday to help with those conversations and to share some smiles and memories too.’
The Princess of Wales has hired a ‘straight-talking’ public relations expert to join her Kensington Palace team as her new private secretary.
Alison Corfield joins the royals as a veteran public relations mastermind to aid Kate as her right-hand woman to help lead the charge on the Princess’s ramped up public work.
Ms Corfield comes into the role with bags of experience, previously orchestrating Jamie Oliver’s free school meals campaigns and drive to end childhood obesity by 2030.
Royal insiders told The Sunday Times that the public relations expert was a ‘ball-breaker’ and her appointment was a ‘breath of fresh air’.
Royal sources added that Kate sought out a ‘different type of courtier’, suggesting the Princess of Wales wanted to shake things up on her royal team.
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