Kate announces exciting new community as Princess of Wales continues phased return to public life
Kate's work with the Royal Foundation drew significant praise online
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The Princess of Wales unveiled a "community" of more than 300 "baby banks" across the UK yesterday as she continues to make a remarkable return to public life amid her cancer treatment.
The Royal Foundation, of which she and Prince William are patrons, announced that it would be launching the "Baby Bank Alliance" - a network of repositories for "essential items for babies and children".
In a social media statement announcing the move, the Foundation talked up Kate's visits to several of the banks up and down the country in which she "highlighted their crucial work in supporting families".
It said: "Over the past few years, the Princess of Wales has visited several baby banks to highlight their crucial work in supporting families with babies and young children.
The news comes as Kate steps up her return to public life
PA
"Organisations like baby banks play a vital role in helping to give parents and carers the capacity to provide the nurturing care which is so important to babies and young children.
"Today we're delighted to see the launch of the Baby Bank Alliance, a community of over 300 baby banks supporting families, babies and children in the UK with access to the supplies and clothing that they need to thrive.
"Our relationships, experiences, and surroundings in our earliest years lay the foundations that shape the rest of our lives.
"Supporting parents and carers, who are doing their best to provide for their families in incredibly challenging circumstances, is essential and can have a life-changing impact."
MORE ON THE PRINCESS OF WALES:
The Foundation talked up Kate's visits to several of the banks in recent years
The announcement comes just days after Kate stepped out at Wimbledon alongside her daughter, Princess Charlotte, and her sister, Pippa Middleton, for her second official engagement since her cancer diagnosis earlier this year.
The Princess of Wales presented men's singles winner Carlos Alcaraz with the Gentlemen's Singles Trophy on July 14 - just shy of a month after she made a triumphant return to the spotlight at Trooping the Colour in the heart of London.
After her Wimbledon appearance, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told GB News: "It was charming and joyous. The standing ovation was so well-deserved, and she looked wonderfully well with the poise and beauty we've always associated with her."
Fitzwilliams noted that it had been a "very big struggle" for the future Queen - but noted that she had hinted to more of a summer comeback, recovery-dependant.
Kate made her first return to the spotlight at Trooping the Colour
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He said: "She did hint she would attend events in the summer, to what extent she may appear in future we don't know."
Speaking on The Royal Record in the wake of her appearance on Centre Court, GBNews.com's Royal Editor Svar Nanan-Sen praised Kate's plaudits from the two men's finalists, with runner-up Novak Djokovic saying it was a "privilege" to be in her company again.
Svar also directed attention to Djokovic's "health update" on the princess, saying: "He said it was great to see her in good health and that she looked to be in good health.
"Even Alcaraz, when he was coming forward to receive his Wimbledon trophy, paused for a moment and bowed his head towards Kate before going and taking the trophy."