The Royal Story The Royal Story
The Princess of Wales visited the children’s mental health charity Anna Freud — where she serves as Patron — on Thursday.
The future Queen, 43, met with staff and experts to discuss how strong relationships and meaningful connections play a crucial role in shaping the long-term well-being and life outcomes of babies, children and young people.
Kate looked radiant for the engagement, wearing a chic checked long-sleeve dress finished with a matching belt for a polished touch. Her chestnut hair was styled in soft, flowing curls that caught the breeze as she waved to the crowds on arrival.
The visit comes just a week after Kate’s heartfelt address at the Future Workforce Summit, where she highlighted how steady, nurturing relationships help create the stable and meaningful environments children need in order to flourish.
She said, in part:
“My passion and the work of The Centre for Early Childhood stems from one essential truth; that the love we feel in our earliest years fundamentally shapes who we become and how we thrive as adults. Love is the first and most essential bond. But it is also the invisible thread, woven with time, attention and tenderness, through consistent, nurturing relationships which creates the grounded and meaningful environments around a child.”
The engagement comes ahead of a busy week for Kate, who is preparing to welcome Germany’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to the UK. She is also set to host her annual Together at Christmas concert next week.
This visit coincides with the launch of a new programme between The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood and Anna Freud, which will develop a training curriculum for health visitors to strengthen their expertise in supporting early social and emotional development. During the visit, the Princess will meet families working with Anna Freud and the Institute of Health Visitors to help shape the programme, and discuss how early relationships and meaningful connections lay the groundwork for positive life outcomes later on.
After speaking with parents and carers, Her Royal Highness will take part in a roundtable with mental health and early years specialists, focusing on the importance of trusted relationships in childhood.
Participants will explore practical ways to support children’s social and emotional development — from empowering teachers and parents to helping local communities build environments where strong relationships can truly thrive. Experts attending the discussion include Eamon McCrory, CEO of Anna Freud and Professor of Developmental Neuroscience and Psychopathology at UCL, and Professor Peter Fonagy, advisor to the Centre for Early Childhood and President of Anna Freud.
