The Duchess of Cambridge, née Kate Middleton, will carry out two engagements in neighbouring Staffordshire and the West Midlands on Wednesday 18 February. The royal will be making the visit in honour of two charities – the East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH) and Action for Children.
Travelling first to Stoke-on-Trent, Kate will tour the Emma Bridgewater factory and see up close and personal how the earthenware products are made and decorated. The pottery company are producing a new range of mugs specifically for EACH.
Kate, who holds a history of art degree from the University of St Andrews, will have the chance to meet staff working at the factory, as well as volunteers and children from EACH's local centre the Donna Louise Hospice.
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe Duchess of Cambridge, née Kate Middleton, will travel to Staffordshire and the West Midlands
Kate last carried out an engagement for EACH, of which she is royal patron, in late November, when she met Emma Bridgewater and was given a preview of the ladybird-designed mugs the pottery maker had created for the charity.
During her visit, the Duchess – who is around seven months pregnant with her and Prince William's second baby – was overcome with emotion. She was pictured tearing up as she drove away from the Norfolk hospice, having met young patients and their families there.
© Photo: Getty ImagesDuchess Kate, pictured last year with Emma Bridgewater, will visit one of the pottery maker's factories
Kate's second engagement later this month will see her visit one of Action for Children's facilities – the Cape Hill Children's Centre in Smethwick.
The royal will be given an introduction to the charity, which helps the most vulnerable and neglected children and adults across the UK. It offers a range of programmes including health services, speech and language therapy, family learning and childcare, and adult employment advice.
© Photo: Getty ImagesPrince George's mum will be seven months pregnant at the time of her engagements
Kate will then take part in a roundtable discussion where she will learn how families have benefitted from Action for Children's services. Perhaps the highlight of her visit will be taking part in a play session and meeting the children and parents who use the Cape Hill Children's Centre.
The two engagements will be one of the first back-to-work duties Kate will attend to, following her holiday in Mustique. The pregnant royal was enjoying her annual trip to the Caribbean island with the Middletons, joined by her parents Michael and Carole, her siblings James and Pippa, and Princes William and George.
