Princess Kate stepped out looking spectacular on Friday when she headed to Sebby’s Corner, a baby bank in Barnet, to kickstart an initiative from The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood.
Sebby's Corner provides items to families in need across Barnet, Hertfordshire, and London and is designed to support families with young children in the run-up to Christmas. Baby banks provide a vital lifeline for families in all sorts of challenging circumstances.
© WPA PoolStacking shelves
Princess Kate was captured helping the team stock up the Christmas grotto ready for families to come and choose toys for their children.
The Centre for Early Childhood will be encouraging members of the public to donate funds, products, and pre-loved items, or to volunteer their time, to support their local baby banks throughout December.
The cause is very important to Princess Kate's heart as her Shaping Us campaign explores the importance of our early experiences.
Speaking to members of the newly formed Baby Bank Alliance, Kate said: “The work going on here is so essential… you are such a lifeline in so many ways, but you’re also hidden. We need to be able to normalise this and make this more visible.”
© GettyDecorating the Christmas Grotto
Kate was keen to get stuck in and was captured helping the team and was joined by Shaping Us champion, Giovanna Fletcher. Together they added final touches to Sebby's Christmas Grotto.
© GettyKate's winter ensemble
The Princess looked ultra-chic donning a dark brown roll-neck jumping and matching corduroy skirt. As for hair, she wore her chestnut tresses in her classic bouncy blow-dry inspired curls. She also slipped into a pair of elegant black suede boots. To accessorise, the Princess added a waist-cinching brown belt.
© WPA PoolTalks with the organisers
Kate heard about the crucial work baby banks do across the UK from Bianca Sakol, Founder of Sebby's Corner, and Emma Park, Operations Manager, and how they get essential items to families, including clothing, nappies, toiletries, and baby equipment.
With the country in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, the baby bank has seen a year-on-year increase in referrals with midwives, health visitors, and teachers nominating families.
© GettyPrincess Kate arrives with a smile
Kate donned a warm chestnut-hued coat as she arrived at Sebby's Corner. There are more than 200 baby banks around the country, all of which are currently seeing rising demand for their services.
