The Princess of Wales brought her signature warmth and style to a crucial engagement in London today, visiting the Anna Freud Centre to champion children's mental health. Kate Middleton, beaming with radiant energy, showcased a noticeably lighter, sun-kissed hair colour styled in her trademark loose waves, creating a buzz among royal watchers.
A Commitment to Early Childhood Development
During her visit to the charity, of which she has been Patron since 2016, the Princess participated in discussions focusing on the vital role of relationships and connection in shaping the future life outcomes of babies, children, and young people. The engagement comes as The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, spearheaded by Kate, launched a significant new collaboration with Anna Freud.
This initiative is designed to enhance the skills of health professionals, enabling them to better support early social and emotional development. Kate met with the charity's Chief Executive, Professor Eamon McCrory, to learn how Anna Freud is transforming mental health care through science, collaboration, and clinical innovation.
Rewearing a Wardrobe Favourite with a Twist
The Princess's impeccable fashion sense was on full display as she chose to re-wear a fan-favourite outfit for the occasion. She donned a custom-made blue houndstooth Emilia Wickstead dress, which she had previously worn during a trip to the US in 2022. For this appearance, the dress was cleverly altered, with sleeves added to the original design.
Her hair, a topic of recent conversation, was styled in soft, loose waves. At last week's Royal Variety Performance, Kate had spoken with actress Su Pollard about her lighter tresses, remarking, "It used to be brown, but it's gone light in the sunshine."
Connecting Policy with Lived Experience
Deepening her hands-on approach, the Princess also met with families who are working directly with Anna Freud and the Institute of Health Visitors. These families are helping to shape the new initiative, ensuring it is grounded in real-world experience and needs.
This visit builds powerfully upon the message Kate delivered just one week prior at the Future Workforce Summit. In her first public speech in two years, she called on business leaders to prioritise "time and tenderness just as much as productivity and success." She argued that profitability and making a positive impact are not mutually exclusive, urging for greater investment in the early years development of children, which she described as stemming from the "essential truth" that early love fundamentally shapes who we become.
The Anna Freud organisation stands as a leading UK charity dedicated to evidence-based research and training for the mental health of children, young people, and their families, making it a perfect alignment with the Princess's lifelong work.
