Kate was greeted by large crowds of well wishers and members of the media.
Following an immensely warm welcome upon arrival yesterday, William and Kate separated for the first portion of the day with Prince William travelling to Washington, DC (more on that further down) and his wife remaining in New York.
Kate was in high spirits as she arrived at the center where she was joined by New York's First Lady Chirlane McCray.
The two ladies enjoyed a brief chat before going inside.
A precautionary ambulance travelled in Kate's convoy.
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| Rebecca English Twitter Feed |
There was great excitement in anticipation of the royal visit. More from this NY1 story:
'Technically the visitor is Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. But to American four-year-olds , royalty is all relative. They all think that the Princess is just Princess Elsa from the movie 'Frozen' who is coming to see them, to play with them because they are so special, says St Jean teacher Kenia Paulema.
The adults at the Northside Center say they're thrilled about the royal visit for a different reason - the attention it will bring to what this center has been focused on for sixty-five years; mental health and education.'
The Northside Development Center fosters the healthy development of children and families and seeks to empower them to respond constructively to negative social factors including racism and its related consequences. Through comprehensive, high-quality mental health and educational services, coupled with research, children and families are aided in developing to their full potential.
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| Northside Center for Child Development |
The healing efforts of Northside Center are geared to accommodate the needs of the variety of families who avail of their services. While addressing the emotional, developmental and educational needs of the children and families they serve, Northside strives to develop and enhance the self-esteem and self-respect of all children and families.
One of Kate's patronages is mental health charity Place2Be and today's visit is a further sign of her intent to learn more and support improvement of the mental health and emotional well-being of children.
Those of you with children or who enjoy a little bit of art may wish to take a look at the Color Book Page.
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| Northside Development Center |
We often discuss charities in Britain on the blog, and given our large US readership I thought it important to pay special attention to charitable organisations visited during this trip. If you wish to make an annual or once-off donation to the centre please click here for more details. A donation will help a Northside child receive comprehensive therapeutic and educational services.
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| Northside Development Center |
Director of development Nina Fenton said, "Mental health still has very much a stigma attached to it and so to be able to do this with her is a wonderful opportunity". The centre serves 1700 each year through its clinic and 3600 overall with educational programmes, including pre-K and after school.
The Duchess and First Lady took part in gift-wrapping with volunteers.
The Duchess had great fun gift wrapping.
And looked thoroughly pleased with the results.
The children very much enjoyed meeting Kate.
And met students undertaking a craft-making exercise.
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| British Consulate NY |
Indeed, Kate is not the first Princess to visit the centre. In 2011, Princess Madeleine of Sweden visited the daycare centre in support of various projects.
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| Kungahuset |
As she left, Kate spent time meeting children.
It was a fun visit for all involved.
After the visit, the Duchess and the First Lady attended lunch at the British Consul General's Residence where Her Royal Highness met members of the British community in New York from culture, arts, hospitality and business sectors.
As expected, the Duchess selected another stylish coat for today's engagements. The appropriately named Washington Crepe Coat by GOAT is made from heavy-weight black crepe and edged with beige trims at the neckline, cuffs and back. It's available for €850 at Matches.
Kate wore her hair in a very pretty half up-half down style today. Do you like today's look?
It is quite staggering to note the calibre of politicians William is meeting in the US. For a second-in-line to the throne it is highly unusual and demonstrates the popularity and influence the Cambridges hold.
We'll see you in just a few hours for the NBA game!
As expected, the Duchess selected another stylish coat for today's engagements. The appropriately named Washington Crepe Coat by GOAT is made from heavy-weight black crepe and edged with beige trims at the neckline, cuffs and back. It's available for €850 at Matches.
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| GOAT |
More from the product description:
'The Washington coat in black is a real stand-out wardrobe hero. It has a classic swing coat shape and contrast nude tabs on the cuff and back and decorative contrast enamel buttons.'
As you can see Kate's coat is longer than shown in the product photo above, it seems extra fabric has been added. The Duchess wore a fitted short black dress underneath.
The Duchess wore her trusty Episode 'Angel' black suede pumps.
Kate carried her Mulberry Bayswater Clutch and wore a stylish pair of Cornelia James gloves.
And completed the look with her Annoushka pearls.
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| Annoushka |
Kate wore her hair in a very pretty half up-half down style today. Do you like today's look?
Meanwhile, Prince William travelled to Washington DC where he met President Barack Obama in the Oval Office. The two enjoyed a chat and the topic of fatherhood came up when the Prince told the President, "When George was born, I actually forgot to work out if it was a boy or a girl." You can watch a video at ITV News.
Prince William then made an impassioned keynote speech at the World Bank on illegal wildlife trade in his role as president of United for Wildlife. He was joined by World Bank Group president, Jim Yong Kim, at the opening session to address more than 300 corruption experts, heads and senior members of anti-corruption and prosecuting agencies.
During his speech Prince William said:
'In my view, one of the most insidious forms of corruption and criminality in the world today is the illegal wildlife trade. Here, criminal gangs turn vast profits from the illegal killing or capture of wildlife; armed groups and terrorists swap poached ivory for guns; and middle-men oil the wheels of the trade in return for reward.
Together they loot our planet, to feed mankind’s ignorant craving for exotic pets, trinkets, cures and ornaments derived from the world’s vanishing and irreplaceable species. I was inspired by my grandfather and my father, who have championed international conservation for over fifty years. They helped to bring about a revolution in attitudes towards our natural environment.
From them, I learned that our relation to nature and wildlife goes to the heart of our identity as human beings: from our sheer survival, to our appreciation of beauty and our connection to all other living things. Seen in this light, the extinction of any of the world’s species of animals is a loss to all humanity.
But furthermore, wildlife crime goes to the heart of our security.
It recognizes neither national borders nor national interests. It distorts economic development, undermines the rule of law and fuels sources of conflict. Unchecked, it can be a factor in the spread of infectious diseases, with a devastating toll. The illegal trade threatens to wipe out the natural endowment of affected nations by depriving future generations of their heritage, and of their right to develop those resources in legitimate ways.
Indeed, it suits traffickers that areas rich in natural resources remain under-developed or conflict-ridden, so that they can go on plundering without restriction. Ladies and gentlemen, it is wrong that children growing up in countries vulnerable to wildlife crime are losing their birthright in order to fuel the greed of international criminals, and that those children will face greater hardship and insecurity as this crime traps them in poverty.'
It is quite staggering to note the calibre of politicians William is meeting in the US. For a second-in-line to the throne it is highly unusual and demonstrates the popularity and influence the Cambridges hold.
We'll see you in just a few hours for the NBA game!
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