Earlier today, The Duchess of Cambridge arrived unexpectedly at a mental health conference, Head Start Learning co-organised by one of her patronages, the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families.
Catherine, who yesterday spent time at a school with a therapy puppy, surprised the media at 10.30am with her arrival at the Head Start Learning conference, held at the Amnesty International UK Human Rights Centre in Shoreditch, London.
We are delighted to welcome our Patron HRH the Duchess of Cambridge to the #HeadStartLearning Conference.
HRH is a committed champion of children’s mental health and wellbeing and it is fantastic to have her here! @BigLotteryFund @kensingtonRoyal pic.twitter.com/vDrtiJqDbP— Anna Freud NCCF (@AFNCCF) January 11, 2018
Surprise appearances like these are always known about by the organisation being visited, but not released to the press for a couple of reasons, including security concerns, and not wanting to overshadow the event itself.
Throughout the day, Kate attended various talks and discussions held at the event, on various aspects of mental health like teaching resilience, how schools can improve their provisions, and findings of recent research into children’s mental health.
Other conferences have been taking place across the country, including in Kent, Hull and Wolverhampton, and are sponsored by the National Lottery fund.
HRH the Duchess of Cambridge talks with young people and staff leading the #NationalLottery funded HeadStart programme, building Mental Health and resilience in children and young people across the country. @kensingtonRoyal @BigLotteryFund #HeadStartLearning pic.twitter.com/XLRSoR9nTR
— Anna Freud NCCF (@AFNCCF) January 11, 2018
The Duchess of Cambridge took part in discussion with young people and staff, too, about some of the issues raised by the talks and panels.
Kate became patron of the Anna Freud Centre in 2016, demonstrating her deep interest in mental health and children. Back in November, the Duchess attended a gala dinner at Kensington Palace for the charity.
The Duchess of Cambridge speaks to guests as she attends the 2017 Gala Dinner for The Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families (AFNCCF), held at Kensington Palace. Picture by i-Images / Pool
