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  "path": "/royal/princess-of-wales-kate-middleton-engagement-uplifting-atmosphere",
  "publishedAt": "2026-02-13T22:03:10.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "the Princess of Wales] was so genuine with so many of the children as she walked along,\" Ms Roche told [HELLO!.",
    "Catherine's favourite designers to take centre stage at London Fashion Week",
    "Prince William mirrors Hollywood actor as he attends Saudi Arabian city",
    "US officials expressed concern over Britain protecting Andrew, emails show",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
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  "textContent": "\n\n\nThe Princess of Wales has been hailed for creating an \"uplifting\" atmosphere during a solo engagement at Castle Hill Academy in New Addington, Croydon.\n\nAs part of Children's Mental Health Week 2026 celebrations, Catherine spent time engaging with children as part of her role as patron of Place2Be.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe charity behind the annual awareness week, since 2015, has consistently advocated for nurturing children's emotional wellbeing from the earliest stages of life.\n\nThe Croydon school has maintained a partnership with Place2Be spanning many years, integrating mental health support into everyday school activities through its whole school approach.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nCEO of Place2Be, Catherine Roche, shared how \"genuine\" the Princess of Wales is and how she creates an \"uplifting\" atmosphere.\n\nShe said one of the team members shared that it was a young girl's birthday, and the princess made sure to wish the little girl a \"happy birthday\".\n\n\"That was a special moment. She the Princess of Wales] was so genuine with so many of the children as she walked along,\" Ms Roche told [HELLO!.\n\n\"She spent time with the children, chatting with them. They were so natural and chatted so freely with her as well. So it was lovely.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * Catherine's favourite designers to take centre stage at London Fashion Week\n  * Prince William mirrors Hollywood actor as he attends Saudi Arabian city\n  * US officials expressed concern over Britain protecting Andrew, emails show\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nShe continued: \"It just shows how relaxed and informal they were. Really, beautifully brilliantly with the children in a really relaxed and natural environment.\"\n\nThe Princess of Wales visited the school's Early Years outdoor play area, a facility made possible through funding from Deloitte, which participates in The Royal Foundation Business Task Force for Early Childhood.\n\nThe outdoor space has been constructed according to Place2Be's therapeutic guidelines, creating an environment that fosters emotional self-regulation alongside sensory discovery and imaginative play.\n\nDuring her time at the academy, the princess observed how the school community was participating in the awareness week and took time to speak to all those there.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nMs Roche said: \"The Princess is always so genuine with whomever she is speaking.\n\n\"So I think it was really touching, moving, the conversation with the parents, and her sensitivity around the challenges that some families go through, whether that's bereavement or loss or change.\n\n\"I think her genuine warmth and empathy really came through and was really appreciated by the parents.\"\n\nPupils were engaged in producing \"belonging maps,\" an activity designed to prompt reflection on the individuals, locations and moments in their lives that contribute to their sense of security and connection with others.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe visit concluded with Catherine meeting senior figures from both Castle Hill Academy and Place2Be to examine the charity's comprehensive approach to pupil mental health, as well as the particular difficulties experienced by children and families living in New Addington.\n\nThe princess has long championed raising awareness about how formative the early years are for shaping future generations.\n\nThe Royal Foundation's Centre for Early Childhood released its Shaping Us Framework last year, outlining essential capabilities underpinning children's social and emotional growth, from managing feelings and thoughts to forming relationships and exploring their surroundings.\n\nPlace2Be's work within schools and nurseries plays a crucial role in helping families cultivate these foundational skills during childhood.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards:The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Princess of Wales hailed for creating 'uplifting' atmosphere during recent engagement"
}