Kate Middleton, The Duchess of Cambridge has made a second public appearance at a London Museum this week. She gave a short speech at the National Portrait Gallery for the charity, ‘The Art Room’, which she has supported since becoming an official patron last January. Kate was the guest of honour at a reception to celebrate the charity’s 11th anniversary for 250 guests including children and their teachers. She watched a brief video about the charity before making a second speech in as many days. Kate stated she had been “overwhelmed” by the “transformational” work of the Art Room, adding: “I’m a firm believer in the power of art to make a difference.”
She also said; “As a patron of The Art Room, I feel immense pride to see the amazing work that they are doing but I also feel hugely excited to look to a future with more Art Rooms, where many more challenging and vulnerable children will be helped.”
The Duchess of Cambridge a became a Royal Patron for The Art Room, a small charity based in Oxford and London which uses art to provide therapy for children and young people with challenges. The Founder Director of The Art Room Juli Beattie said: “This is wonderful news. On behalf of all of our Trustees and staff and the children and young people we support, I want to thank The Duchess for choosing The Art Room. It is a fantastic endorsement of the work we do and the role that art and creativity can play in helping children and young people whose start in life has been difficult.”
The Art Room was set up in Oxford in 2002 to offer art as therapy to children and young people aged between five and 16, using art to raise their self esteem, confidence and independence. Many are disengaged from mainstream education and are disruptive or withdrawn; some may have specific learning difficulties and all have been identified as needing specialtimeawayfromschool. Theresultsfromtheprojectshavebeenextraordinary.Thecharitynowworkswithover12 schools, providing art as therapy for 270 children every week.
Having considered a large number of requests for patronage, The Duchess decided to support only a few charities in the UK and one volunteering role. The Art Room was chosen as one of this small group as the charities reflecting The Duchess’s interest in the arts, particularly art therapy.
Today the Duchess ,Princes William and Harry have visited the Harry Potter set at Warner Bros studios where they were given a tour of the sets including Hogwarts Hall. Kate wore a £38 cream and black polka dot dress from Topshop.
Top Photo: The Duchess of Cambridge with Director of the National Portrait Gallery Sandy Nairn by Anthony Upton