KATE Middleton went straight to the top of the class today as she carried out an educational visit to University College London.
The Duchess of Cambridge put her best foot forward as she stepped out in a grey houndstooth dress with a bow and Hugo Boss stilettoes.
Kate, 39, recycled a £16 long-sleeved Zara dress she last wore in January for today’s engagement at UCL.
She is meeting with early years researchers who are conducting a study entitled The Children of the 2020s.
The research will track the holistic development of children from the age of nine months to five years.
Kate’s visit marks a number of engagements she will carry out related to the landmark study.
She said earlier today: “Our early childhoods shape our adult lives and knowing more about what impacts this critical time is fundamental to understanding what we as a society can do to improve our future health and happiness.
“The landmark ‘Children of the 2020s’ study will illustrate the importance of the first five years and provide insights into the most critical aspects of early childhood, as well as the factors which support or hinder positive lifelong outcomes.
“I am committed to supporting greater in-depth research in this vital area and I’m delighted to be meeting all those behind the study at this early stage.”
Kate has viewed archive material of historic research dating back to the 1940s into early childhood.
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This included a ‘Birth Questionnaire’ given to new mothers in 1958, which included questions about pregnant women’s smoking habits.
The official engagement comes after Kate launched The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, which looks at awareness and action on the positive impact the early years have on individuals and communities.
The mum-of-three spent ten years looking at how difficult childhood experiences can lead to poor mental health, family breakdowns and addiction struggles.
Kate’s visit marks her second educational trip in a week after she met students from Ulster University.
She was pictured holding a tarantula last Wednesday as she was joined on the engagement by Prince William.
The pair had spent the night before at the Bond premiere in London where Kate looked stunning in a gold gown.
