Catherine Princess of Wales joins pupils at Castle Hill Academy in Croydon to highlight emotional wellbeing and support Place2Be charity work

There was plenty of colour, glue, and laughter at Castle Hill Academy in New Addington on Thursday — and right in the middle of it all was the Princess of Wales, sleeves metaphorically rolled up and chatting easily with children about something that isn’t always easy to talk about: feelings.

Catherine stepped into the south London primary school to mark Children’s Mental Health Week in her role as patron of Place2Be, a charity that provides emotional and therapeutic support in schools across the UK.

Rather than delivering a formal speech, she chose something far more hands-on — joining pupils as they created “belonging maps,” a creative project designed to help children reflect on the people, places and experiences that make them feel safe and valued.

Talking Feelings in a Way Children Understand

Sitting beside the youngsters, the Princess gently encouraged them to open up.

“Do you like to talk about your feelings, your sense of belonging?” she asked, acknowledging that sometimes it’s difficult to find the right words for emotions.

The activity itself was simple but meaningful.

Children aged nine to 11 were asked to map out what gives them a sense of belonging — family members, friends, hobbies, even favourite colours.

Catherine praised their efforts warmly, stopping to admire one child’s emphasis on kindness.

“Kindness is key,” she said, clearly impressed. “That’s such an important message.”

She admitted with a smile that she had been “too busy chatting” to finish her own map — a moment that drew giggles from the table.

Why New Addington Matters

The visit carried particular significance because of where it took place.

New Addington, in Croydon, is among the most deprived areas in England, with long-standing challenges including poverty, youth violence and unemployment.

For many families there, support systems can be stretched thin.

Castle Hill Academy works closely with Place2Be to create what educators call a “whole-school” approach to mental wellbeing.

That means emotional support is woven into daily life — not treated as an add-on.

Through play, creativity and trusted relationships, the aim is to give children tools to understand and manage their emotions from an early age.

Getting Stuck Into Early Years Play

Before heading into the art room, the Princess toured the nursery garden attached to the school.

She immediately noted how vital outdoor spaces are, especially for children who may not have gardens at home.

Joining a small group of little ones, she picked up miniature pom poms with tweezers — a fine-motor activity designed to promote focus and self-regulation.

“Can I have a go? Is it hard?” she asked cheerfully.

When discussing favourite colours, she revealed her own love of green, explaining that it reminds her of nature and being outdoors.

The Early Years play space was funded by Deloitte, a member of The Royal Foundation Business Taskforce for Early Childhood — an initiative Catherine launched in March 2023.

The taskforce encourages business leaders to recognise how early childhood development affects not just families but the wider workforce and society.

Listening to Parents’ Real-Life Stories

Inside the school, the Princess sat down with several parents to hear firsthand how emotional support has made a difference.

One mother described how her son had flourished following the death of his father when he was in reception.

The Princess responded with compassion, expressing her sympathy and highlighting the impact of the school’s support. “

Just focusing on their emotions unlocks so much potential,” she said, noting how that growth extends beyond academics into friendships and family life.

These quieter conversations often form the heart of royal visits — less photographed, perhaps, but deeply personal.

Flags, Kindness and a Warm Welcome

As she moved through the playground, she was greeted by an enthusiastic sea of children waving flags decorated with messages of kindness.

She stopped frequently to shake hands and read their designs, telling them she was “very impressed.”

Dressed in a brown trouser suit, Catherine balanced polished professionalism with easy warmth — a style that has become a hallmark of her public engagements.

A Longstanding Commitment to Early Childhood

Children’s mental health is not a one-off theme for the Princess.

Over the past few years, she has increasingly centred her public work on early childhood development.

Research consistently shows that the first five years of life are critical for emotional and social foundations, shaping outcomes well into adulthood.

Place2Be, founded in 1994, now supports hundreds of schools across the UK.

It provides counselling services, staff training and family guidance — especially vital at a time when NHS child mental health services face long waiting lists.

A Personal Message After the Visit

After leaving the school, Kensington Palace shared a message from the Princess on social media.

She emphasised that this year’s Children’s Mental Health Week focuses on belonging — something she described as fundamental to early development.

“It can be easy to overlook the importance of the things that matter most,” she wrote, highlighting love, care and time spent together as cornerstones of wellbeing.

Her words echoed what she had seen firsthand in New Addington: that connection, not perfection, is what helps children thrive.

What’s Next?

The Princess is expected to continue building momentum around her early childhood campaign, particularly through The Royal Foundation’s work with businesses and community organisations.

With Children’s Mental Health Week drawing national attention, further partnerships and funding initiatives could follow.

More broadly, schools like Castle Hill Academy may serve as models for how emotional wellbeing can be integrated into education systems nationwide.

As funding pressures and social challenges persist, the conversation around preventative mental health support is only likely to grow louder.

Summary

The Princess of Wales visited Castle Hill Academy in New Addington to mark Children’s Mental Health Week, highlighting the importance of belonging and emotional expression.

In her role as patron of Place2Be, she joined children creating “belonging maps,” toured an outdoor nursery space funded through her early childhood business taskforce, and met parents who shared how school-based emotional support has transformed their children’s lives.

The visit underscored her ongoing commitment to embedding social and emotional development at the heart of early education, particularly in communities facing significant challenges.