The Princess of Wales was in her element today as she joined young children making pretend cakes as she spent time with families and volunteers of a charity supporting local families in Oxford. Kate, who was completely unfazed that her designer olive green suit was getting covered in flour, visited Home-Start Oxford on Thursday to learn about the charity’s work supporting parents juggling work, finances and creating loving homes for their families.
Crouching down to help youngsters create colourful cakes from plasticine and flour, the princess appeared entirely at ease in the lively environment as she chatted with mothers about her own children. She expressed mixed emotions as she reflected that her three children, aged 12, 10 and seven, were growing up too fast and revealed that her daughter Charlotte has taken after her parents with a love of the great outdoors.
Kate visited Home-Start Oxford today to meet those who are using the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood’s animated films, which were launched over the summer.
Kate was closely involved in the creation of the series, which aimed to help those working with families and carers understand the vital importance of social and emotional development.
At the time of its launch, a royal source said the Princess was extremely passionate about the project, which is seen as a key step in her work to raise awareness about the importance of a child’s early years development.
Today, Kate saw firsthand how the films are helping parents and young children to build strong relationships and overcome early-years challenges. She also spent time chatting with families who have been supported by Home-Start, a charity that provides free, confidential support to families with young children.
She spoke with sisters Mariam Namakula, 30, who works as a prison nurse, and Sumayya Nabatanzi, 28, as their five children ran around having fun.
Ms Namakula said afterwards: “She was enjoying herself with the kids and said ‘the messier it is the better the fun’. Kate was saying Catherine enjoys the outdoors and doing activities and making things and how her kids are growing up fast. She said George is 12 years old and would soon be starting secondary school.”
Staff and volunteers explained how the charity created vital opportunities for connection, compassion and support — helping families navigate difficulties and giving children the foundations they need to thrive.
The visit coincided with Home-Start UK’s rollout of new volunteer training based on The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood’s Explainer Series — seven animated films and accompanying resources released in August.
Wearing an olive green suit by Victoria Beckham, Kate joined volunteers to watch the animations and discuss how the research could strengthen their work with families. She also met with parents at Rose Buds Stay and Play at the Rose Hill Community Centre, speaking with them about their experiences and the challenges they face.
Rose Buds is one of several free weekly groups run by Home-Start Oxford, offering families a relaxed space to connect, build support networks and take part in activities such as sensory play, singing, storytelling and movement. The groups also provide access to expert staff and trained volunteers.
Katharine Barber, Chief Executive of Home-Start Oxford, who helped develop the animation series earlier this year, said the charity was honoured to welcome The Princess. She said: “It was such a pleasure to welcome The Princess of Wales and share the work we’re doing to support local families. Her genuine passion for children’s earliest years shone through in the thoughtful conversations she had with both our families and volunteers.”
One mother who met The Princess said the encounter was meaningful. “It meant so much to be heard. I never imagined I’d be sharing my story with The Princess — and she was so kind and genuinely interested.”
The Princess’s visit comes just hours after she warned that excessive screen time is creating an “epidemic of disconnection” that disrupts family life.
In an essay co-authored with Professor Robert Waldinger from Harvard Medical School, Kate says that “we’re physically present but mentally absent, unable to fully engage with the people right in front of us.”
She says that smartphones and computer screens have become a “constant distraction” in our lives, and are fuelling the epidemic of loneliness.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.express.co.uk ’
