Today, The Duchess of Cambridge Catherine officially opened the new headquarters of Place2Be in London. Place2Be is one of the earliest patronages and close to Duchess’s heart.
Place2Be provides emotional and therapeutic support to children in schools, working alongside school leaders, teachers and parents.
The new headquarters will provide state-of-the-art training facilities, enabling Place2Be to train more counselors, teachers, school leaders, and a new home for our research & evaluation teams.
Ahead of the engagement, Kensington Palace said,” The Duchess will use the visit to learn more about the training provided and research conducted by Place2Be around children’s mental health, which is a key part of her work to support mothers, teachers, and parents in order to ensure children have the best possible start in life.”
At the center, The Duchess of Cambridge met with the staff and more about the work and facilities. The new building will become a hub for excellence in children’s mental health, driving progress through evidence-based practice, professional development, and research.
Throughout the morning, the guests and supporters had been getting hands-on experience of Place2Be and The Art Room’s work. Place2Be was merged to another patronage of The Duchess – The Art Room this January.
The Art Room provides a group work intervention in schools using creativity and art to improve the wellbeing of pupils experiencing emotional or behavioral difficulties.
The Duchess of Cambridge in another @SeraphineLtd dress as the arrives to open the new headquarters of @Place2Be pic.twitter.com/xPalMlNmhi
— Victoria Murphy (@byQueenVic) March 7, 2018
The merging was one of the initiatives taken by the Royal Foundation to provide a common platform to their charities to collaborate and do bigger goods.
The Duchess of Cambridge, Catherine, then joined a roundtable with members of Place2Be’s Research and Evaluation team, and the independent Research Advisory Group.
The Duchess got a chance to join pupils from nearby Albion Primary School who were taking part in an exercise on ‘friendship’ which is part of the latest training for school-based counseling.

Duchess Kate officially opened the new center of excellence by unveiling the plaque marking her visit.
Following a speech, Kate unveils a plaque to open the new @Place2Be headquarters pic.twitter.com/KXvo3ISGex
— Victoria Murphy (@byQueenVic) March 7, 2018
Speaking to officially open their new center today, The Duchess of Cambridge, who is Patron of Place2Be, praised everyone for their work to support school leaders and parents, and for being at the forefront of efforts to give every child the best start in life and said, “In my years of working with all of you at Place2Be, I have seen at first hand the leadership you provide: you are at the forefront of efforts to give every child the very best start in life”.

Seraphine described the dress as, “Worn by the Duchess of Cambridge, Seraphine’s Marlene Maternity Cocktail Dress is a true statement piece, perfect for special occasions. The soft woven skirt sweeps elegantly to the knee, creating a flattering A-line silhouette that’s perfect before, during, and after pregnancy. The stunning lace bodice is lined in a comfortable stretch jersey, while the elegant long sleeves are made in stylish peek-a-boo lace, with subtle bell detailing at the cuffs. Velvet ribbon detailing at the empire waist, cuffs, and collar complete the look.”

Duchess Kate paired the outfit with Stuart Weitzman Power pumps.

Catherine carried her Mulberry Bayswater clutch and finished her look with Sapphire and Diamond Earrings.

On Monday we will see The Duchess with Her Majesty and other members of the Royal Family at Commonwealth Day Service.