The Princess of Wales made a striking appearance in north London today, visiting the children's mental health charity Anna Freud to launch a significant new initiative. Catherine, who has been Patron of the organisation since 2016, looked elegant in a monochrome collared dress, grey pumps, and dainty earrings as she arrived at the centre.
A Landmark Project for Early Development
The focus of her visit was the launch of a new collaboration between The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood and Anna Freud. This project is designed to enhance the skills of health visitors, equipping them to better support the early social and emotional development of babies and young children. During her time at the centre, the Princess was set to discuss the vital role that relationships and connection play in shaping the future life outcomes of the young.
Building on a Personal Passion
This engagement comes just a week after the future Queen delivered her first major speech in two years at the Future Workforce Summit in the City of London. Addressing around 80 of the UK's most influential business leaders, she called on them to prioritise 'time and tenderness' alongside profit and success. She passionately argued that productivity is not incompatible with having a positive impact on young lives.
In her landmark address, the 43-year-old mother-of-three described love as 'the invisible thread' woven throughout childhood. She stated, 'The love we feel in our earliest years fundamentally shapes who we become and how we thrive as adults.' Her speech also included a moment of personal reflection, where she thanked her team for their support during the last difficult few years, which saw her diagnosed with cancer in early 2024.
Her decision to make this high-profile visit and deliver the speech underscores the profound importance she places on her work in early childhood development. The Princess concluded her previous remarks by affirming, 'At The Centre for Early Childhood, we believe that we must do all we can to create the conditions for love to flourish. That is how we invest in our future.'
