The Princess of Wales visited the National Portrait Gallery today, forming a special bond with a five-year-old pupil who was unaware she was holding hands with the future Queen.
Princess Kate, 43, arrived at the London gallery by school bus to launch an interactive trail supporting social and emotional development in young children.
Dressed £220 Jigsaw trousers and her Sézane Bruna Earrings, the Princess walked hand-in-hand with young Grace from All Souls CE Primary School in Marylebone.
The young girl, who simply knew Kate as "Catherine," had no idea of her companion's royal status as they explored the gallery together.
Schoolgirl, five, who held hands with Princess Kate was 'completely oblivious' to her royal status
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"She knew it was a very special visitor," said Alix Ascough, executive headteacher at All Souls. "We told her she was a princess. She just called her Catherine."
The school bus journey proved to be a relaxed affair, with Kate chatting freely with the young pupils.
"The children, they're four or five years old. They're completely oblivious to everything that's happening," Ascough said.
The headteacher noted that the children were simply excited about "a posh coach with nice lights and aircon."
Princess Kate arriving at the National Portrait Gallery on Tuesday
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The mother-of-three had been specifically paired with Grace for the journey, with the two engaging in conversation throughout.
"Kate had been asked if she would have a partner, and she was sat next to Grace on the coach and Grace had chatted away to her the whole journey," Ascough explained.
The Princess demonstrated her natural rapport with children, helping them with their jumpers during the journey.
"Catherine was wonderful, really chatty with the children. And just felt like a really relaxed journey," the headteacher added.
Princess Kate held hands with Grace, five, who sat next to the royal on the bus
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The visit centred around the launch of the Bobeam Tree Trail, a new initiative running until March 16 at the National Portrait Gallery.
The trail features a magical tree that "thrives when surrounded by stories" and forms the basis for children's activities throughout the gallery.
Young participants explore portraits while developing social and emotional skills through various activities, including listening to audio recordings and examining facial expressions.
The children create self-portraits and can choose to "feed" them to the tree to help it grow.
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Princess Kate travelled via minibus with the schoolchildren
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"They absolutely loved it. It was so magical, the awe and wonder," Ascough said. "I don't think we'll ever have another school trip like it!"
The initiative is part of Kate's Centre for Early Childhood's new Shaping Us Framework, aimed at creating "a physically and mentally healthier society."
The programme will extend beyond London, with galleries from Plymouth to Sheffield participating in the initiative.
