Kate Middleton ditched her power suits today to give a helping hand during a visit to a baby bank in Barnet, north London.
The Princess of Wales, 41, headed to Sebby’s Corner to kickstart an initiative from the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood to provide support to families with young children in the run-up to Christmas.
Keeping her hair down in loose curls and sporting a natural make-up look, she appeared at ease as she chatted to staff and helped to stack shelves with books and toys.
The mother-of-three, who has made early years development the core of her work in the Royal Family, sported a light layer of foundation and black eyeliner which paired perfectly with her business-casual look.
After arriving in a warm brown coat, the Princess slipped it off to show a black polo neck and brown skirt with trendy knee-high heeled boots. For a touch of glam, she added £71 Missoma earrings.
Kate Middleton ditched her power suits today as she visited a baby bank in Barnet, north London
The Princess of Wales, 41, headed to Sebby’s Corner in Barnet to kickstart an initiative from the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood to provide support to families with young children in the run-up to Christmas
The mother-of-three, who has made early years development the core of her work in the Royal Family, sported a light layer of foundation and black eyeliner which paired perfectly with her business-casual look
Kate, Princess of Wales, helps out putting books and toys on shelves ready to be collected for Christmas presents during her visit to Sebby’s Corner
She gets to work in the storeroom, making sure all items to be donated are in the right place
Hands on! Kate labels shelves stacked with toys for families with youngsters who need support
Kate often dresses to project a purposeful, businesslike image, so her look today could not have been more different to the primary-hued dresses she has favoured in the past.
It has led many to ask whether there is a new face on the Princess’s team, or if there is a style adviser in the wings.
Sources close to the future Queen insist that is not the case, saying the spring in Kate’s step is simply down to her being a woman who has finally hit her stride.
One source said that while the ‘step-up’ to become Princess of Wales was a daunting one, she now has a year ‘in the job’ under her belt.
This has coincided with the launch of her new ‘Shaping Us’ campaign to highlight the importance of the early years of childhood and how what happens to us during that time can shape our adult lives.
A source said of Kate: ‘She’s been spreading her wings and creating a public awareness on important issues that are close to her heart. People have sat up and taken notice.
The Princess of Wales during her visit to Sebby’s Corner in Barnet, north London,
What a star! The Princess helped out with decorations
Keeping her hair down in loose curls, and sporting a natural make-up look, she appeared to be at ease as she chatted to staff
The Princess wore a black polo neck and brown skirt today with trendy knee-high heeled boots
‘This is a life-long campaign for her and the fact that it has been so well received has given her an enormous amount of confidence.’
Sebby’s Corner was formed in January 2021 and provides items to families in need across Barnet, Hertfordshire and London.
Families are referred by a large network of partners, including midwives, health visitors and teachers.
Since opening, Sebby’s Corner has supported over 5,000 families and has seen a year-on-year increase in referrals.
Powered by local communities, baby banks provide a vital lifeline for families in all sorts of challenging circumstances.
The visit comes as the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood published an ‘Issues Index’, which found that a third of the general public cite financial pressures as the biggest issue facing parents and carers this year.
During her visit, The Princess heard about the crucial work baby banks do across the UK to get essential items to families, including clothing, nappies, toiletries and baby equipment.
The Princess heard about the crucial work baby banks do across the UK to get essential items to families, including clothing, nappies, toiletries and baby equipment
Surrounded by decorations, the Princess of Wales got into the Christmas spirit
Her Royal Highness was expected to join volunteers and Shaping Us champion Giovanna Fletcher in putting the final touches to Sebby’s annual Christmas grotto, which provides a space where families who are struggling can choose gifts for their children.
Finally, the Princess was due to join a conversation with representatives from baby banks from across the UK to discuss the increasing demand on their services.
There are more than 200 baby banks around the country, all of which are having to cope with rising demand.
The Princess of Wales wore £71 Missoma earrings as part of her casual outfit
Her Royal Highness was due to join volunteers in putting in the final steps of Santa’s grotto
Kate smiles as she speaks to people during her visit to Sebby’s Corner in north London
The Centre for Early Childhood will be encouraging members of the public to donate funds, products and pre-loved items, or to volunteer their time, to support their local baby banks throughout December.
Several Shaping Us Champions will also be adding their voice to the drive
Launched by the Princess in January, the Shaping Us campaign highlights how our relationships, experiences, and surroundings in our earliest years lay the foundations that shape the rest of our lives.
Organisations such as baby banks can help relieve some of the stresses and strains they face and in turn give parents and carers the capacity to provide the nurturing care which is so important to babies and very young children.
Supporting parents and carers who are doing their best to provide for their families in incredibly challenging circumstances is essential and can have a life-changing impact.