The Duchess of Cambridge has touched down in Denmark as she kicks off her first-ever solo royal tour on a working visit with The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood – and she’s dressed to impress.
Sporting none other than a red, tailored $90 ZARA blazer, paired with a frilled white blouse, flattering black slacks and subtle gold drop earrings to match – the Duchess was looking like the picture of royal independence. Pair that with pictures of her on a children’s slide at the LEGO Foundations PlayLab in Copenhagen and the Palace has got itself quite the marvellous representative.
The Duchess arrived in Denmark on Tuesday, February 23, where she was greeted by the British Ambassador to Denmark before visiting the Copenhagen Infant Mental Health Project (CIMHP) at the University of Copenhagen to learn more about the organisation and its mission.
The special trip to Denmark is set to last two days, and marks the Duchess’s first overseas trip since 2019. During her short stay, she will meet with the Australian-born Crown Princess Mary of Denmark and other important members of the Danish Royal Family. Upon arriving on Tuesday, the Duchess met world-leading researchers from the CIMHP initiative to find out more about the cause, for the purpose of informing her own organisation – The Royal Foundation for Early Childhood – on its best practice approaches to early childhood development and well-being.
According to a statement released by Kensington Palace, the intention of the trip is to understand more about how CIMHP has promoted healthy early childhood development, in particular how they’ve “created an enabling culture for early childhood development, specifically how it has promoted infant mental well-being alongside physical health, and how it harnesses the power of nature, relationships, and playful learning in the first five years of life.”
During her visit at CIMHP, The Duchess heard from a number of parents who had been through the initiative’s Understanding Your Baby Project at Børnemuseet Children’s Museum. She then visited the LEGO Foundation in Copenhagen where she immersed herself in the exciting PlayLab activities.
On February 23, the Duchess is set to meet with Crown Princess Mary of Denmark on a visit to a crisis shelter for women, a project designed to protect vulnerable women and children at risk of domestic violence. The project is endorsed by The Mary Foundation, welcoming approximately 2000 new children into the shelter each year, alongside their mothers.
Kate and Mary met for the first time in 2011 and again in 2016 when the pair attended Royal Ascot.
Earlier this month, the Duchess spoke of her anticipation for the upcoming trip, and her eagerness to learn more about Denmark’s approach to early childhood.
“Looking forward to learning from experts, parents and practitioners about Denmark’s approach to early childhood later this month,” said the Duchess.
“Denmark is a beacon of best practice in its approach to the early years which values the roles of parents and results in both communities of support and government policies that underpin the best start in life.”
The visit is also designed to celebrate the bond between Britain and Denmark as both country’s queens celebrate remarkable milestones this year. Queen Elizabeth II is currently celebrating her impressive Platinum Jubilee as Queen Margrethe of Denmark celebrates her Golden Jubilee.