Ahead of Mother’s Day in the United Kingdom, the Duchess of Cambridge attended the launch of maternal mental health films with Heads Together charity partner Best Beginnings at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in London today.
Following yesterday’s horrific terror attack on Westminster, it was very much up in the air until this morning if the engagement would go ahead. Her Majesty postponed plans to open the New Scotland Yard building until a later date. Victoria Arbiter tweeted “Worth noting that the Queen’s postponed engagement will not be due to fear but rather a conscious effort to relieve the burden on police”. In terms of location there was no reason to cancel Kate’s appearance and no doubt after much consideration it was decided not change the schedule.
Picture by James Whatling
Rebecca English noted Kate was accompanied by Sophie Agnew today, assistant to her private secretary Rebecca Deacon and a likely contender to replace her when she leaves.
The Duchess appropriately began her speech by sending “thoughts and prayers to all those sadly affected by yesterday’s terrible attack in Westminster”. I was excited when I learned there was to be a speech by the Duchess. I hoped that we would here Kate speak about motherhood in her speech. Drawing on her own experiences, the Duchess admitted to a lack of confidence and feelings of ignorance as a mother. “It is full of complex emotions of joy, exhaustion, love, and worry, all mixed together. Your fundamental identity changes overnight. You go from thinking of yourself as primarily an individual, to suddenly being a mother, first and foremost.” Kate’s speech was excellent – easily the most personal one she’s given discussing the highs and lows of becoming a parent.
The event, to raise awareness of maternal mental health challenges and start conversations about the wellbeing of parents and their children, was attended by health campaigners, academics and other professionals in the field. The Duchess watched one of Best Beginnings films.
Kate then joined a parent support group to talk with parents about how becoming a parent affected their mental health and how open and honest conversations with family, friends or other trusted people helped them get through the tough times.
The Duchess brought back her much loved red and white gingham skirt suit from Kensington based bespoke firm Eponine London.
She accessorized with her pink morganite earrings from Kiki McDonough
Her L. K. Bennett Nina Clutch
and her taupe suede heels from Gianvito Rossi
I’ll leave you with another picture of Catherine
Picture by James Whatling
She looks a bit rough in these pics. Are they unphotoshopped/