Princess of Wales 'made children feel like they belong' during Children's Mental Health Week

The Princess of Wales has been hailed for giving children a place they feel like they belong after her recent visit to Castle Hill Academy.

Catherine visited New Addington in Croydon for a solo engagement last week.

As part of Children's Mental Health Week 2026 celebrations, Catherine spent time engaging with children as part of her role as patron of Place2Be.

Following the visit to the school, Jacqui Segal, Director of Fundraising, Marketing and Communications for Place2Be, spoke to GB News and praised the princess for her visit.

She said: “We were honoured to welcome HRH The Princess of Wales in her role as Place2Be’s Royal Patron, championing the importance of nurturing children’s emotional wellbeing from their earliest years.

“This year’s Children’s Mental Health Week focuses on the theme of belonging.

“The Princess’s visit to Castle Hill Academy created a truly memorable moment, giving children the chance to share where they feel they belong and what helps them feel safe and connected.

“As our Patron, the Princess continues to shine a spotlight on our vital, long‑standing work with schools, supporting staff, children, and parents through a deeply embedded whole‑school approach.”

The charity behind the annual awareness week, since 2015, has consistently advocated for nurturing children's emotional well-being from the earliest stages of life.

The Croydon school has maintained a partnership with Place2Be spanning many years, integrating mental health support into everyday school activities through its whole-school approach.

The 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.

The 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.

During 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.

The 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.

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The princess has long championed raising awareness about how formative the early years are for shaping future generations.

The 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.

Place2Be's work within schools and nurseries plays a crucial role in helping families cultivate these foundational skills during childhood.

CEO of Place2Be, Catherine Roche, shared how "genuine" the Princess of Wales is and how she creates an "uplifting" atmosphere.

"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!.

"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."

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