The Princess of Wales is radiant in a yellow 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-coloured Karen Millen dress at the Royal Surrey County Hospital, where she will learn more about the support it provides to pregnant women and new mothers.

The 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.

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

The Princess wore her brunette tresses down and curled, brushed back behind one ear to show off her subtle earrings

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.

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. 

‘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.