Duchess wears Ralph Lauren houndstooth dress for Anna Freud centre visit

This morning, the Duchess of Cambridge officially resumed her royal duties after giving birth to her daughter in May.  She visited the Anna Freud Centre, a children’s mental health charity that is based in London.

The Anna Freud Centre has over 60 years’ experience caring for and helping treat children and young people with mental health problems. They work with children from all over – in homes, in hostels, in schools, prisons, in the local community and in their own clinic. In addition, the charity conducts research on children’s mental health and trains professionals and students across the world.

Kate’s visit shone the spotlight on the issue of children’s mental health today – something we know the Duchess is passionate about from her previous charity work.  You may recall the Duchess released a video to mark the first ever children’s mental health week earlier this year.

If you’re wondering whether the centre has a connection to the legendary Sigmund Freud, you’d be correct.  Anna Freud was Sigmund Freud’s daughter and also a renowned psychiatrist.  Many consider her one of the founders of psychoanalytic child psychology.  From the Centre’s website –

In 1941, [Anna] set up the Hampstead War Nurseries for young victims of war who had experienced profound trauma. Anna Freud applied her knowledge of child development whilst working with the children and their families. She also took the opportunity to research the effect of deprivation of parental care on children affected by conflict.

The Nurseries were renamed the Hampstead Child Therapy Course and Clinic after being granted charity status in 1952. Following Anna Freud’s death, the Clinic was renamed the Anna Freud Centre in her honour.

During the visit, Kate spoke with the Centre’s staff, discussing how the charity is working to cut mental health problems in children and young people. She was then shown plans for the Centre’s new centre of excellence.  The charity say that the new building will “bring together the best people and organisations in neuroscience, mental health and education to work with children and their families.”  You can read more about the development by clicking here.

Kate then spent the rest of her visit touring the Centre’s unique ”Family School”. Here’s how the School is explained on the charity’s website –

“[The Family School is] where mental health support is completely integrated into children’s education and where the entire family is supported to help the child fully benefit from their learning opportunities.”

Kate participated in a number of activities during her visit.  Here’s a short video of her using the School’s “SmartGym” programme, which combines technology and sports psychology.

The Duchess of Cambridge has a go at the SmartGym learning technology @AFCevents Family School pic.twitter.com/zwQfR2tqrn

— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) September 17, 2015

Kate’s outfit today:

Kate was in a new dress for the visit today, she wore this Ralph Lauren silk Austin shirtdress from the company’s Black Label collection.

The 100% silk shirtdress features a black and ‘vanilla’ houndstooth check pattern, mother of pearl buttons and a genuine leather belt.  It retails for $1595 / £1245.

If that is a little out of your price range, I’ve found a couple of similar dresses that are a little more budget friendly –

The Duchess accessorised her dress with a number of familiar pieces.

She wore her black Stuart Weitzman ‘Power’ pumps.

Her trusty Mulberry Bayswater wallet also made a comeback (black leather pictured – Kate’s is black suede).

Kate wore her Annoushka pearl drop earrings.  They drops sit on Kiki McDonough hooks.

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We’ll be back tomorrow to cover Kate’s visit to the Rugby World Cup’s opening ceremony.

PS…  Yesterday, the Palace announced a new engagement for Kate.  The Duchess will attend the world premiere of Spectre with her husband and Prince Harry.