KATE Middleton today grinned as she arrived at a Christmas tree farm to celebrate her new patronage.
The Duchess of Cambridge took on the role as patron for Family Action after the Queen passed it on to her.
The 93-year-old monarch had held the patronage for more than 65 years before passing it onto the duchess.
To mark the occasion, Kate is visiting Peterley Manor Farm in Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire today, where she is joining families and children supported by Family Action for Christmas activities.
At the previously unannounced engagement, the duchess is helping youngsters in the farm’s Elves Enchanted Forest, where the children are making decorations and eco-friendly reindeer food.
Kate and the families will also go outside to pick Christmas trees for Family Action pre-schools.
The duchess’s new patronage fits in with her charity work focusing on early years and the importance of supporting children and families during this crucial time.
Family Action, which works with vulnerable or disadvantaged children, was founded in 1869 to help families in difficulty by giving them practical help.
It now supports families with issues such as financial hardship, mental health and emotional well-being, social isolation, parenting challenges, domestic abuse, and substance misuse.
Kate – mother to Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis – visited Family Action’s base in Lewisham, south-east London, in January 2019 and launched its national support line, FamilyLine.
She also spent time at Hornsey Road Children’s Centre in north London, where the charity provides services, in 2017.
The charity’s chief executive, David Holmes, said: “Everyone at Family Action would like to extend our thanks to Her Majesty for her steadfast support and encouragement to us over so many years.
“I have seen the duchess’s passionate support for disadvantaged families first hand and have been impressed by her leadership in understanding and promoting the vital importance of the Early Years.
“Family Action looks forward to working with the duchess in the years to come.”
This year marks the charity’s 150th anniversary.
