Kate Middleton dropped jaws as she made her first appearance since Prince Harry opened the 2025 Invictus Games in Vancouver with Meghan Markle.
The Princess of Wales was all smiles and in good spirit she broke the cover to visit a mother and baby unit at a prison in Cheshire, seemingly stealing the spotlight from Harry and Meghan.
The future Queen, 43, braved the rain and took shelter under an umbrella as she met mothers who gave birth in prison at HMP Styal as part of her early years crusade.
Kate’s latest outing comes amid the Duke and Duchess of Sussexes’ ongoing trip to Canada, where the couple enjoyed happy moments together.
Princess Catherine, as patron of Action for Children, highlighted the importance of consistent mother and baby relationships in a child’s development.
Princess Kate spellbound the onlookers as she put on stylish display for the outing. She dazzled in a brown ensemble, opting for her checked Blazé Milano coat layered over a roll neck wool dress and paired with suede boots.
She wore her thick brunette locks in curly tresses hanging down her shoulders, and slightly tucked behind her ears. She also highlighted a pair of her sparkling stud earrings.
The Princess smiled, waved and said hello to other inmates who were leaning through the windows of a portacabin.
Action for Children is a charity which runs three Mother and Baby Units inside prisons in the north of England; supporting expectant and new mothers who are serving prison sentences or on remand.
she discussed the importance of ensuring a child born in the prison system is able to establish a strong bond with its mother in support of future development
Later in the visit, Kate visited the on-site nursery where she met with babies and children living on site; where they can learn and play. She also met mothers in the prison who have been supported by the unit.
Action for Children employs specialist practitioners at each prison, who ensure babies are given the best possible care and are introduced to experiences outside the confines of the institutions, such as riding on the bus or going for walks.
As the Princess continues her slow and measured return to work, she has been making poignant visits that tackle subjects close to her heart – with early years being a cornerstone focus.
Kate, who is a mother-of-three, founded The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood in June 2021 as she announced her drive to tackle societal issues at the root. In January 2023 the Foundation began the Shaping Us campaign which raises awareness of how critical the early years are in a child’s future.
