Princess Catherine made an unannounced appearance at Castle Hill Academy in Croydon, south London, to mark Children’s Mental Health Week.
The Princess of Wales has long focused on early childhood development and the role it plays in shaping long-term wellbeing. The visit tied closely to that work and her ongoing efforts to keep children’s mental health high on the public agenda.
Catherine attended in her role as Patron of Place2Be, a charity that supports children, families, and school communities with mental health services. She has previously described her Shaping Us project as her “life’s work”, reflecting how central the issue is to her public role.
Speaking about this year’s theme, she highlighted the importance of belonging, connection, and time spent together, saying these elements are fundamental to early childhood development. She also praised Place2Be for the work it does to support families and communities, adding her personal sign-off with her initial “C”.
During the visit to Castle Hill Academy, the Princess toured the Early Years outdoor play space, which is designed around Place2Be’s therapeutic principles. She looked at how the area encourages emotional regulation, sensory exploration, and creative play.
Catherine also spent time speaking with parents who have received support through the charity, hearing directly about the impact the services have had on their families.
The visit underlined the Princess’s continued commitment to children’s mental health, particularly in the early years, and her hands-on approach to supporting initiatives that aim to give children a stronger start in life.
