Kate Middleton dazzles in a recycled embellished gown as she hosts a reception to mark the 25th anniversary of children’s charity Place2Be – hours after awkward reunion with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
- Mother-of-three Kate, 38, patron of the children’s charity Place2Be since 2013, met two school choirs at event
- Place2Be offers early age emotional support and believes no child should face mental health difficulties alone
- Earlier today Duchess of Cambridge attended the Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey with William
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Kate Middleton dazzled in a recycled sapphire blue embellished gown as she hosted a reception at Buckingham Palace this evening to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the children’s charity Place2Be.
It’s been a busy day for the Duchess of Cambridge, 38, who is patron of the organisation; earlier this afternoon she joined her husband Prince William, 37, at Westminster Abbey for the annual Commonwealth Service, along with other senior members of the Royal Family.
The event was Meghan Markle, 38, and Prince Harry’s final official engagement before they quit The Firm on March 31. Kate looked typically elegant in a recycled red 1940s Catherine Walker coat dress, which she matched with an elegant floral cocktail hat by Sally Ann Provan and red Gianvito Rossi suede heels.
This evening mother-of-three Kate changed into her stunning Indian-inspired bespoke Jenny Packham gown – one of her favourite British designers – and let down her bun allowing her brunette locks to flow in loose waves.
Kate first wore the boat neck dress at the Bollywood Gala in Mumbai on her and Prince William’s royal tour of India and Bhutan in 2016 – and the beading of her dress was done in India.
Kate Middleton dazzled in a sapphire blue embellished gown as she hosted a reception at Buckingham Palace this evening to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the children’s charity Place2Be
Set up in 1994 by Dame Benny Refson DBE, Place2Be provides emotional support at an early age and believes that no child should face mental health difficulties alone.
During the reception the Duchess of Cambridge will meet two school choirs who will be performing at the event, and Place2Be supporters, before giving a speech.
Over the past 25 years more than 250,000 children and their families have been directly supported by Place2Be, which currently works with 639 schools across the UK.
Since her patronage began in 2013, the duchess has met pupils, families and staff at Place2Be partner schools to see the vital work being done by the charity.
The Duchess of Cambridge poses with two school choirs, supporters and guests as she hosts a Gala Dinner in celebration of the 25th anniversary of Place2Be at Buckingham Palace
Earlier today Kate Middleton recycled a scarlet Catherine Walker coat dress for this year’s Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey. The mother-of-three last wore the double-breasted coat dress by the French-born fashion designer, which has a burgundy velvet collar and sleeves, on Christmas Day at Sandringham in 2018
The Duchess of Cambridge looked a picture of elegance in the ensemble, which she teamed with a red felt cocktail hat by Sally Ann Provan
The glamorous duchess looked elegant in the demure 1940s style coat dress by French-born fashion designer Catherine Walker, who is based in London
Place2Be has also collaborated with The Royal Foundation on a number of projects: they are a charity partner for the Heads Together Campaign and Mentally Healthy Schools website, in addition to working with Shout – a free, 24/7 text service for anyone in crisis which was launched nationally by their Royal Highnesses in 2019.
Children’s mental health has long been a priority for the duchess. Over the last eight years she has explored how experiences in early childhood often lie at the root of the hardest social challenges the country faces today.
What we experience in the earliest years – from in the womb to the age of five – is instrumental in shaping our future lives.
Last month Kate launched the survey ‘5 Big Questions on the Under Fives’, which aimed to spark the biggest ever conversation on early childhood that will ultimately help bring about positive, lasting change for generations to come.