Princess of Wales visits Hampshire hospital with £1,430 tweed suit

Princess of Wales visits hospital

The Princess of Wales coos over babies at a Hampshire community hospital during a visit to promote early childhood mental health.

“I was told in hospital that my recovery would not be linear. There will be good days and bad days, that it will take time.”

£1,430 tweed suit

Catherine wore a £1,430 tweed suit by Bella Freud with a cranberry cashmere polo neck and £695 Smythson bag.

Alarm Distress Baby Scale

The project uses the Alarm Distress Baby Scale (ADBB) to identify early withdrawal in infants aged zero to 24 months.

Project expansion

The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood has funded the ADBB project across ten NHS sites with £250,000 over three years.

Baby interactions

Catherine interacted with three babies aged five-and-a-half to nine months using toys and jigsaw puzzles.

Cancer recovery interview

Catherine shared cancer recovery insights in Prince William's Country Life magazine interview.

“I was told in hospital that my recovery would not be linear. There will be good days and bad days, that it will take time.”

ADBB implementation

The ADBB project is being rolled out across 13 health visiting teams in Hampshire NHS Trust.

Health visitor support

Health visitors use the ADBB to identify babies' needs and families' needs early to prevent crises.

Royal Foundation work

Catherine founded the Royal Foundation for Early Childhood in 2021 to focus on early childhood development.

Nature connection

Catherine linked nature to her cancer recovery, emphasizing connection and peace during difficult times.

“Having a sense of connection, trusted people around you and places where you feel at peace can be incredibly important during difficult times.”

Parenting insights

Catherine advised parents to give children freedom to explore rather than constant instructions.

Project impact

The ADBB project has already changed lives by improving early identification of infant needs.

“Catherine was told that her project to help families understand more about social and emotional development was already 'changing lives'.”

Future plans

Catherine aims to expand the ADBB project to more NHS trusts for early childhood mental health support.

Healthcare collaboration

Catherine met with NHS experts to discuss implementing the ADBB project across health services.

Cancer recovery

Catherine shared that her cancer recovery is not linear and requires time and patience.

“I was told in hospital that my recovery would not be linear. There will be good days and bad days, that it will take time.”

Project launch

The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood launched the ADBB project to support early childhood mental health.