Kate Middleton Latest Outing: A Trip to the National Portrait Gallery
Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, accompanied a class of young students on a trip to the National Portrait Gallery in London.
As a patron of the gallery, the Princess joined a group of five-year-old students from All Souls Church of England Primary School on their visit to an exhibition aimed at helping children understand and reflect on their emotions.
#KateMiddleton the #PrincessofWales joined children on a school bus to head to the National #PortraitGallery
— Agedor.art (@agedorgallery) February 4, 2025
There, she launched an "interactive trail" aimed at supporting the social and emotional development of children under five#NPG #RoyalCharity #PrincessCatherine… pic.twitter.com/fUnh4o1WDj
“My name is Catherine and I’m get to come on your school trip today,” she asked the students as she stepped on the bus. “You’ve all got your seatbelts on?
During the ride, she played the game, “I Spy” with the children. Alix Ascough, a teacher and head of the school, told People that Princess Kate interacted with the children with ease.
“She sat with the children on the coach and chatted with them,” Ascough stated. “She was so relaxed and animated, and it just felt really natural.”
Upon arrival, Middleton exited the bus hand-in-hand with a young student named Grace as they entered the gallery together.
I was in contact last night with the mother of little Grace, who was holding the princess’ hand. She described it as a hugely ‘special’ experience and an ‘amazing story to tell when she’s older’.
— Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) February 5, 2025
‘She loved seeing herself on the news as well!’ she said.
One happy little girl! https://t.co/t0sK6Hdm69 pic.twitter.com/rCyGmRqi08
The children explored the Bobeam Tree Trail, an interactive experience developed through Middleton’s Shaping UsFramework in partnership with the National Portrait Gallery and her Centre for Early Childhood. The goal of the project is to help young children better understand and express their emotions.
The Princess assisted the children in drawing their own portraits while encouraging them to reflect on their feelings throughout the exhibit.
It was fantastic to see The Centre for Early Childhood’s Shaping Us Framework, which is based on key science, expressed in such an innovative, creative and fun way at the National Portrait Gallery today.
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) February 4, 2025
The Bobeam Tree Trail is a brilliant example of how organisations can… pic.twitter.com/bU4fie9gdl
“For the children, it was just so magical,” Ascough told People. “It was an awe and wonder moment. They’ve been doing lots of artwork at school, so for them to be able to do that within the gallery with the Princess was magical.”
The Shaping Us Framework was developed by doctors, human development professionals, and academics to emphasize the significance of a child’s first five years. The latest phase of the initiative focuses on social skills development and strengthening mental health in early childhood education.
This outing comes after Princess Kate announced last month that she was in remission from cancer. Prior to this, she visited a children’s hospice and attended the Holocaust Memorial Day remembrance alongside Prince William.
