Kate’s VERY well suited as she launches her new drive
IT was Kate Middleton’s big moment – and she chose a bold suit for the occasion. The princess of Wales last night made a stylish splash in red as she launched her initiative to help the nation’s children lead happier and healthier lives. The early years is one of the causes she holds most dear and she invited her celebrity ‘champions’ to a glamorous reception at the British Academy of Film and Television in central London to kick off a week of events. Ms Middleton, accompanied by husband William, turned to one of her favourite designers for her scarlet outfit – Alexander McQueen, the fashion house that made her wedding dress and many other looks that have marked important events.
She teamed the €1,580 asymmetric crepe blazer and matching €670 trousers with a €730 Miu Miu bow bag and €680 Gianvito Rossi velvet heels.
Ms Middleton’s Shaping Us initiative, focusing on children under the age of five, will involve an advertising blitz in cinemas and on billboards across the country.
Broadcasters Fearne Cotton and Rochelle Humes and England women’s team soccer captain Leah Williamson were among the celebrity champions in attendance. Kate Silverton, the presenter who has retrained as a child therapist, was hosting and praised the princess for her ‘ardent dedication’ to the cause.
In a speech, Ms Middleton, a mother of three whose youngest, Prince Louis, is four, explained why she believes it is so important to focus on children’s social and emotional needs as much as their physical and cognitive development.
She said: ‘During this time we lay the foundations and building blocks for life. And it is when we learn to understand ourselves, understand others and understand the world in which we live. This is why it is essential, to not only understand the unique importance of our earliest years, but to know what we can all do to help raise future generations of happy, healthy adults. Those involved in raising children today need the very best information and support in helping to achieve this mission – and this campaign aims to help do that too.
‘By building a supportive, nurturing world around children and those caring for them, we can make a huge difference to generations to come.’
The multi-media campaign is part of a major push by the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, set up by the princess in June 2021. It has been described by royal family press officers as her ‘life’s work’.