Yesterday, the Duchess of Cambridge pulled a Beyoncé in the most tenuous sense of the phrase. Kate, who is currently pregnant with her third child, hosted a previously unannounced round table discussion at Kensington Palace with the Royal Foundation, focusing on maternal mental health.
According to the official @KensingtonRoyal Twitter account, which posted a photo from the low-key discussion event, ‘the Duchess is keen to develop an understanding of the issues surrounding maternal mental health, and to learn what support is available.’
The Palace noted that at least 20 percent of women are affected by mental health problems during pregnancy or in the year following birth, and confirmed that the Duchess was joined by experts from Kings College London, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the Anna Freud Centre, Best Beginnings, Family Action and the Mental Health Alliance.
Through their work with the Heads Together foundation, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry have focused their charitable efforts on mental health in recent months.
‘The Duchess has spoken about the importance of having open conversations about maternal health, and the impact this can have on family,’ the Palace added. Indeed, Kate has previously described motherhood as a ‘rewarding and wonderful experience,’ but one that can also be a ‘huge challenge,’ leaving her feeling ‘a lack of confidence’ at points.
The Daily Mail were quick to point out that this week marks the first time that Kate has been pictured with her new Private Secretary, Catherine Quinn, following the departure of her previous ‘Girl Friday,’ Rebecca Priestley. With a CV that includes a top role as Chief Operating Officer at Oxford University’s Said Business School, the Mail speculate that Quinn’s hiring proves that ‘the Duchess plans to carve out a more serious role for herself with her patronages and charity campaigning.’
For her next solo public engagement, the Duchess will head to the Hornsey Road Children’s Centre on 14th November, where she will observe the centre’s ‘valuable family and parental support services.’ This visit was initially scheduled for early September, but was postponed while Kate was suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of morning sickness, in the early stages of her pregnancy.
Also on Kate’s schedule is the upcoming royal tour of Scandinavia: along with her husband Prince William, the Duchess will visit Norway and Sweden next January.
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