Today the patron of Natural History Museum Duchess of Cambridge is visiting the Angela Marmont Centre for UK Biodiversity to hear how it is helping to protect UK Wildlife. The visit was another embargoed engagement for Catherine and was not announced beforehand.
Duchess was welcomed by the Museum’s Director, Sir Michael Dixon, in addition to the head of the AMC Dr John Tweddle and the Head of Learning and Audiences Beth Stone.
The Duchess has been Patron of the Museum since April 2013. The patronage is a reflection of her interest in and commitment to the As a museum’s role in helping people to reconnect with the natural world and answer the big questions about how we can protect our planet’s future. From NHS’ website, In the Museum’s Annual Review 2016/17 The Duchess said,
The challenges the natural world faces today are very different to those of 136 years ago, when the Museum first opened its doors. But so the opportunities of a global and digital age. The groundbreaking, diverse work over the past year is only the start of an ambitious transformation to inspire new audiences and tackle some of the most important issues affecting the planet.
Duchess last visited the museum in June 2017 to attended the launch reception for Hope along with Sir David Attenborough. About today’s visit Palace said, “The Duchess is a strong advocate for the positive impact that nature and the outdoors can have on our physical and mental wellbeing, and in particular for childhood development. Alongside its national programme of activity, the Natural History Museum aims to inspire its millions of visitors to act for nature. The museum is forging partnerships across the UK to empower school children, families and local communities to help protect the wildlife in urban areas”.
The Angela Marmont Centre for UK Biodiversity (AMC) of the Natural History Museum is unique within the UK. One of the centre’s key roles is to support the individuals, schemes and societies that record, monitor and protect the UK’s biodiversity. While promoting the appreciation and study of UK biodiversity, the centre addresses two of the central problems facing biodiversity and taxonomy – how to inspire and nurture existing and future naturalists, and how to engage the wider public in natural history science.
AMC acts as a hub for collaborations between amateur and professional scientists and serves as the first point of contact where interested members of the public can deepen their interests, find like-minded people and join exciting projects that help them develop and learn more about natural history and science. It provides access to UK reference collections, manages the Museum’s Identification and Advisory Service, host identification training courses, play an active role in public engagement activities and runs an innovative citizen science programme of participative research projects that are open to anyone.
The AMC, open to the public and located in the Museum’s Orange Zone, helps visitors to identify any plants, animals and fossils they may have found and brought in. It also provides training in wildlife identification so that people can start documenting UK species and participate in citizen science projects.
During the visit, Duchess was shown some of the UK insect and plant species from the Museum’s collection and heard how the Museum is empowering people to act for nature.
Catherine examining DNA sequencing in action and a selection of plant and insect specimens from the collection.
About the visit, Museum said, “HRH heard how the Museum is aiming to inspire the more than five million visitors it welcomes each year alongside its national programme of activity to empower people to act for nature. With the likelihood of a child visiting green spaces having halved in a generation, it has never been more important to excite young people about wildlife. The Museum is responding to this challenge by forging partnerships across the UK to empower school children, families and local communities to help protect the wildlife in urban areas.”
A video of the day.
Today the Duchess of Cambridge debuted a stunning Autumn Look. It was a stunning combination of Autumn colours and showed Duchess’ new found love culottes.
She wore Warehouse Wave Pointelle Detail Jumper in Berry tone. Thanks to HeavenQRF on Twitter for the quick id.
The £39 top is described as, “This pointelle jumper from Warehouse is made using a finely knitted fabric, with a lace-effect design, ribbed trims and button detail for a vintage-inspired feel. Great for between the seasons, the modern scallop-edged funnel neck adds something different to everyday dressing.”
The top is available on John Lewis in few sizes. A closer look at the scallop-edged detailing of the top.
Catherine paired the top with a new khaki JigsawRelaxed Gathered Waist Culottes. Id by Caroline Parr.
The £130 trouser is described as, “A relaxed fit with a wide leg, these culottes are perfect for the transitional season. Further details include an elasticated waist, front slant pockets and ruching from the waistband to the hem. Pair with simple T-shirts and heeled sandals”.
The trouser is currently on sale and is available online for £89.
Duchess was wearing her Tod’s Fringed leather pumps debuted during Canada tour in September 2016
Catherine carried her Chanel Calfskin Bag that she first carried during her Paris visit in March 2017.
She finished her look with her Asprey London Oak Leaf Small Hoop Earrings that she debuted at Wimbledon Men’s Finale in 2018.
In other news, yesterday the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge received Bill Gates (Co-Chairman and Trustee of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation) at Kensington Palace. I expect some joint venture in future coming out of this meeting.
Next week, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will be heading to Pakistan for their first official visit to the country.