The Duchess of Cambridge visited the baby bank charity, Little Village, yesterday in London.
It was Catherine’s first engagement since the Platinum Jubilee, where her youngest child, Prince Louis, provided many humorous moments across the weekend.
As a supporter of baby banks, the Duchess joined staff, volunteers and supporters at the charity’s Brent hub. She helped to pick out clothes and equipment for a family who were also present.
The Duchess of Cambridge met volunteers of Little Village. (Kensington Royal)
Coincidentally, the bundle packed by the Duchess was the 20,000th package to be given out by the charity.
The mother-of-three learnt more about Little Village’s work which is proving essential equipment and clothing to families with children under five.
Catherine also heard how the charity has been providing emotional support and practical advice to parents over the phone.
HRH helped to pack bags which would be given to families in need. (Kensington Royal).
The Royal spoke to one young mother, Sara, who informed Kate about the support that the centre had given to her whilst she was pregnant with her first child during the pandemic.
Learning to greet Sara’s two children, Catherine reminisced by saying: “You forget how tiny they are! I remember those days. It’s a busy time but so wonderful.” – a reference to her own three children, George, Charlotte and Louis.
The mother-of-three met families who use the charity for support and guidance. (Kensington Royal).
She also made a little reference to her youngest child, Louis, as she toured around the centre when she came across a pair of baby shoes. “Louis did fit in those once,” she said.
Her Royal Highness helped Sara to pick out some books for her two children and gave the recommendation of the classic novel, ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’.
Sophie Livingston MBE, CEO of Little Village said: “We were all absolutely delighted to welcome The Duchess of Cambridge to Little Village Brent. She met some of our staff and volunteers and helped to pick out some beautiful items of clothing for the family’s two young children.
“The Duchess really took her time to talk our staff and volunteers, who all said how down to earth she was and how engaged and interested she was in the work of Little Village.”
Volunteer Fouzia Khan, said: “As a mother herself, the Duchess really showed a lot of empathy and care about the work Little Village are doing. She was lovely and engaging and was keen to hear about how families feel when they visit our baby bank. She was very interested in hearing about how much thought and care goes into the bundles we prepare for families.”
We were absolutely delighted to welcome The Duchess of Cambridge @KensingtonRoyal to our Brent baby bank hub in Wembley this afternoon.
The Duchess met some of our staff and volunteers and helped to select some beautiful pre-loved items for a family who visited today. pic.twitter.com/UTevowDAXs
— Little Village (@LittleVillageHQ) June 8, 2022
The Duchess of Cambridge has been a long-time support of the charity. To mark their fifth anniversary, Catherine held zoom calls with some of the families that have been supported by the charity.
HRH also set up an initiative to help bring British brands together to support baby banks. Little Village was one of the charities who received donated items from the brands.
