'Genuine' Kate Middleton marks important solo milestone after 10 years – see unseen photos

The Princess's first engagement as Patron was to the Torfaen Multi-disciplinary Intervention Service (MIST) and the Caerphilly Family Intervention Team (FIT) in South Wales in 2017.

At the time, a spokesperson for the Princess said she was "incredibly proud" to be following in the late Queen's footsteps.

Brigitte Gater, Action for Children’s Managing Director for Children’s Services, met the Princess of Wales during these visits. 

She tells HELLO!: "What stood out most during The Princess of Wales’s visit was her genuine interest in children, families and the vital importance of the early years. She took time to speak with staff, ask thoughtful questions and understand the realities faced by the families we support."

Brigitte said Catherine was "generous" with her time throughout the day, meeting those inside the service, as well as members of the public who had gathered outside to welcome her.

The visit allowed the royal mother of three to see the charity's work first-hand, including observing a family therapy session. 

Afterwards, the Princess, looking elegant in a looked elegant in a red Paule Ka suit, spent time speaking with the mother involved, expressing her gratitude for being able to listen and learn from the family's experience. 

"It was an incredibly proud moment for everyone involved. Her visit shone a light on

the life-changing work taking place at Action for Children every day and gave a real boost to staff, volunteers and families alike," Brigitte recalled. 

"Most importantly, it helped highlight the importance of ensuring every child has the support they need for a safe and happy childhood."

In February 2019, the Princess visited Northern Ireland, including engagements to Ballymena and Little Steps (Antrim) Sure Start, with her husband Prince William. 

As with all engagements in the region, the visit was not announced in advance, but the royal couple was met with adoration by crowds. 

During her visit to Ireland, Catherine met Sophia Sweetlove, three, and her mother Charlene. 

Charlene recalled the spontaneous moment the royal sat down to chat with them.

She said: "It was all top secret. We picked some daffodils from our garden, and that morning I was teaching Sophia how to curtsey just in case!

"My back was to the door, so I didn’t see anyone come in. Next thing I knew, Princess Kate sat down at our table!

"She was so lovely and engaged. She asked all the children’s names and how Sure Start had helped us. She was so natural and interested in what we had to say. It’s just such a lovely happy memory for us all."

Sophia (pictured) is now 10, and while she can't remember the visit when she was just three years old, she still feels "very lucky" to have met a member of the royal family. 

She said: "I can't remember it, but I feel very lucky to have met Princess Kate. She will be our Queen one day and not many people meet queens!"

Sophia has a picture with Catherine, and even presented her with daffodils.

Lauren McDermott, a staff member who hosted the Princess, says: "There was a genuine warmth and compassion about the Princess of Wales, who connected so naturally with the families. Seeing her sitting on the floor with the children, chatting, playing, and taking such a sincere interest in our project was truly special.

"It was clear how much she valued the importance of giving children the very best start in life. She made every family feel valued, and her visit left a lasting impression on all of us."

Later that year, the Princess attended a joint event organised by Action for Children and the Royal Photographic Society.

The Princess of Wales was pictured with Action for Children’s former Chair of Trustees, Sarika Patel, on the visit to Kingston upon Thames.

Another picture shared by Action for Children to mark the Princess's special milestone shows the royal holding a camera. 

The Princess is known to be passionate about photography and often shares photos of her three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, for their birthdays and other special milestones. 

She studied History of Art at the University of St Andrews and is interested in how art and creativity can help children and young people express themselves. 

In 2022, Jaswinder Seema Bedi and her daughter Harleen Kaur Bedi, an Action for Children Young Ambassador, met the royal at a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace.

Jaswinder has described how the meeting was a "special honour", saying they will "treasure the memories forever". 

She said: "As a mother, there is nothing more precious than seeing your child happy. Moments like this remind me that every child deserves the opportunity to feel included, valued and celebrated. Seeing the excitement and happiness on my daughter's face that day filled my heart with so much joy and pride.

"The Princess of Wales spoke to us with such kindness and came across as incredibly humble, genuine, and caring."

The Princess of Wales visited Styal Prison and Young Offenders Institution, a women's prison in Wilmslow, Cheshire, in February 2025.

She met Lisa Flynn and Claire Pentin, who work for Action for Children at the Mother and Baby Unit. 

Following this visit, the service was sent a very special gift, Catherine's Rose, for families to enjoy in the garden.

Lisa described how "natural" the royal was meeting mothers and babies – not even flinching when a baby wiped his nose on her.

She said: "Watching The Princess with the mums and babies was amazing. She made them feel so comfortable and not judged. She picked up the babies and even laughed when one wiped his nose on her - just so natural, human, and clearly a lovely mum herself. 

"She even made a point of going back in to chat one-to-one with a mum who’d been very quiet. She was so compassionate."

Catherine's visit was intended to highlight the importance of strong, loving and consistent mother and baby relationships to a child's development, even in the most challenging of environments.

Claire added that the day spent with the Princess was one they would "never forget".

"The day the Princess visited was just brilliant, one we’ll never forget," she said. "She was so passionate about our work with mums and babies and how it links with her own work with The Royal Foundation.  

"When she sat down to chat with us, I was blown away by how much she knew about the early years, and the importance of building those foundations. 

"She could have chosen to visit an easier environment, but she wanted to get involved and learn about our work. It really helped to shine a light on our service and create a conversation around it."

For the occasion, Catherine chose to recycle a long checked blazer from Blazer Milano, displaying effortless elegance throughout the visit.