Elegant Duchess Kate opens new school for excluded children in London

By MiNDFOOD

Duchess of Cambridge
Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge interacts with users of the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families during her visit, in London, Britain May 1, 2019. REUTERS/Toby Melville/Pool - RC13123A4EE0

Duchess Kate, who is the Patron of the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, officially opened the new Centre of Excellence on Wednesday.

Duchess Kate appeared in high spirits as she arrived at the Pears Family School, part of the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families’ new north London headquarters.

As the royal patron of the Centre, a crucial children’s mental health charity, Kate officially opened the organisation’s new Centre of Excellence.

The engagement marked the first time the Duchess of Cambridge has been seen in public since she was granted the title of Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victoria Order. The Queen bestowed the honour on Kate as a wedding anniversary present to mark the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s eighth year of marriage.

For the occasion, Kate wore a long-sleeved, dark green dress by Emilia Wickstead, Harper’s BAZAAR reports. 

Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton
Duchess of Cambridge photographed at the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families in London, Britain May 1, 2019. Photo Credit: REUTERS/Toby Melville/Pool

Highlighting mental health

This visit marked the Duchess’s continued desire to shine a spotlight on child mental health issues and the importance of early intervention, and working with the whole family, can make to those in vulnerable situations. 

The Duchess of Cambridge sat in on a music class during her visit to the Pears Family School, which focuses on children who have been excluded from mainstream education.

Duchess of Cambridge, Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families
The Duchess spends time with young students at the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families during her visit. Photo Credit: REUTERS/Toby Melville/Pool

The school specialises in providing short-term placements for children with complex needs, with a view to re-integrating them back to a mainstream school.

The Duchess has been Patron of the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families since 2016, which reaches over one million children in schools to try and reduce the burden of mental health difficulties children can face.

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