The Duchess of Cambridge delighted unsuspecting onlookers as she officially opened the new Islington headquarters of a children’s mental health charity.
Children’s charity Place2Be provides counselling for students, families and teachers across 300 schools nationwide. This includes two primary schools in Islington: The New North Academy near Angel and Blessed Sacrament RC Primary School in Kings Cross.
Charity’s new home
The charity’s new residence in Coller House, St John Street, will provide a hub for its research and evaluation teams. It will train counsellors, teachers and school leaders in therapeutic care and emotional support for pupils.
As well as learning about the charity’s training methods, Kate met students from a primary school in Southwark where Place2Be provides mental health support.
Serene duchess
Kate, who is expecting her third child in April, is the Royal Patron of Place2Be and launched Children’s Mental Health Week last month. This is part of her ongoing campaign to raise awareness of the impacts of addiction, poverty and abuse on children.
The Duchess looked serene in a lacy royal blue A-line dress as she waved to a crowd of happy well-wishers.
Clerkenwell resident Sarah Wilson said: “I’ve abandoned all my shopping in Waitrose to wait for her! I’m very excited now. It’s not every day you get to see the Duchess outside your local supermarket.”
Passer-by Gill Sanders said: “She’s just beautiful, isn’t she? She looks like she’s ready to burst.”
