A baby has been pictured hanging onto Princess Kate's finger in a heartwarming moment as the future queen made a visit to the Anna Freud children's mental health charity, where she serves as a patron.
While talking with parents and engaging with children and babies, one tot grabbed the Princess of Wales's hand and sucked on her finger.
The princess laughed and played with the baby while he hung on.
Kate was at The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood as she launched a new project with Anna Freud to enhance health visitors' skills in supporting early development.
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The royal engagement comes after her speech at the Future Workforce Summit last week, where she highlighted how stable, caring relationships help create the supportive environments children need to thrive.
The visit coincides with the announcement of a collaboration between The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood and Anna Freud.
The partnership aims to develop training for health visitors to better support families in promoting social and emotional development during children's formative years.
Anna Freud is one of the UK's key institutions for evidence-driven research and education concerning the mental wellbeing of children, adolescents and their families.
The Princess of Wales engaged with young children at the event
|PA
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Kate has served as a patron for nine years and works to ensure all young people can fulfil their capabilities through timely and collaborative support.
The newly announced training scheme acts as a partnership between Anna Freud and The Institute of Health Visiting, commissioned by The Centre for Early Childhood.
The initiative will equip health visitors and early years practitioners with skills to strengthen parent-child bonds during crucial developmental stages.
The programme draws upon The Centre's Shaping Us Framework, which focuses on incorporating scientific evidence, professional expertise and parental insights to support children.
Kate has served as a patron of the Anna Freud children's mental health charity for nine years
|PA
New research put together by Anna Freud shared the troubling patterns in youth mental health across the UK.
Seven in 10 young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 experience loneliness regularly.
Despite this evidence, opportunities for meaningful social engagement remain scarce.
Current estimates indicate that one in five children and adolescents in England lives with a mental health condition.
Princess Kate played with the children during her visit
|PA
These statistics underscore the urgent need for interventions that foster connection and belonging among young people.
During her visit, the princess engaged with Professor Eamon McCrory, the charity's Chief Executive.
The pair discussed how Anna Freud advances mental healthcare for young people through scientific research, partnerships and innovative clinical approaches.
She also met with parents and caregivers who are contributing their experiences to shape the new health visitor training initiative.
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