The Duchess in Smart Casual Ensemble for PACT Charity Visit

The Duchess of Cambridge stepped out today to visit community parental project PACT (Parents and Children Together) in Southwark, London.

Kensington Palace said the visit was planned to offer the Duchess the opportunity to "learn more about how communities can support parents and their families with their mental wellbeing and improve the health and development outcomes for young children".

The Palace added: "Set up by Citizens UK, PACT is a community-led social support project which aims to build a confident, resilient community of parents who can give their children the best start in life whatever their circumstances. It was initiated in Southwark after parents, community and faith leaders identified mental health issues and isolation as the biggest challenges impacting on their ability to parent and give their children the best start in life. The project has since expanded to Leeds and Newcastle."

Kate spent time meeting volunteers and attendees of the weekly MumSpace group. It provides a space for parents to share challenges they may be facing and share advice.

The Duchess met a health visitor who attends the group to offer support, before joining a cooking workshop with families.

A Palace spokesperson continued: "By creating local support networks and providing reliable connections for families, PACT helps to combat isolation, support parental mental health and engage a number of hard-to-reach communities to access health and social services. The project works on a parent-led approach which involves listening to parents’ needs and working on solutions together, empowering them to make change within their own communities. Through her work over the past decade the Duchess of Cambridge has seen first-hand how some of today’s hardest social challenges have their roots in the earliest years of a person’s life. The Duchess is committed to raising awareness of the importance of early childhood experiences and of collaborative action in order to improve outcomes across society."

Kate helped Jonathan chop fruit and vegetables. Richard Palmer reports he's celebrating his second birthday today.

Kate joined children making fruit kebabs at the session and helped Jonathan, who is two today, chop a banana. pic.twitter.com/cgMOV4n9fF

— Richard Palmer (@RoyalReporter) February 8, 2022

Tea with George :)

Sharing a cup of tea with another George. pic.twitter.com/0JsYndlC0q

— Richard Palmer (@RoyalReporter) February 8, 2022

Kate had a great time getting to know the little ones.

Hello! reports:

'As well as joining in on a cooking workshop, mum-of-three Kate said she wished she had been able to attend a similar group when she was expecting her first child, admitting she would have "learned a lot".

Going to shake the hand of another mother, she laughed "Sorry, now I've got a sticky hand" before pulling a face of amazement at one-year-old Zoe who was busy eating strawberries.

"I can see why everyone likes it here," the Duchess said.'

Afterwards, KP said the charity is "a great example of best practice in leveraging the power of communities for support of one another".

A nice wrap up video from the visit.

Now a look at Kate's smart causal ensemble today... The Duchess debuted a beautifully tailored Prince of Wales plaid, single-breasted piece by Catherine Walker today (with thanks to Chrissy).

The talented Bojana suggests Kate's black sweater is the Boden Cashmere Crew Neck. The 100% cashmere, semi-fitted piece with long sleeves comes in a plethora of colours on Boden's website.

Bojana also identified Kate's trousers as the L.K. Bennett Frieda Black Crepe Cigarette Trousers. They are currently reduced from £125 to £75.

The Duchess sported her Gianvito Rossi 'Piper' suede pumps.

And accessorised with her £160/$220 Astley Clarkle Round Stilla Lapis Lazuli Pendant necklace.

Kate completed the look with a pair of pearl earrings.

There have been several important royal events announced for March which I would definitely expect to see the Cambridges attend. Here's a look at Kate's schedule for the coming weeks (not in completion, as events like today's remain embargoed).

13 February: The Duchess of Cambridge will read The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark on CBeebies at 6.50 pm.

22 February: The Duchess of Cambridge will undertake a two-day working visit to Copenhagen. Kate's engagements are expected to focus on early childhood.

23 February: The Duchess of Cambridge will be welcomed to Christian IX’s Palace at Amalienborg for a reception with Queen Margrethe and Crown Princess Mary. Afterwards, Mary will host a private luncheon for Kate before they attend an engagement at a crisis centre for women to see the work of Mary's Foundation in action. The full itinerary has not yet been released.

2 March: The Diplomatic Reception at Windsor Castle.

14 March: The annual Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey.

29 March: A Service of Thanksgiving for the life of the Duke of Edinburgh at Westminster Abbey.

Sadly, the Diplomatic Reception will not be a white-tie affair on this occasion. Instead the dress code is lounge suits and cocktail dresses. Nonetheless it should be a splendid evening!