Princess Kate undertakes surprise solo visit just hours after issuing warning to parents

The Princess of Wales was in her element today as she joined young children making pretend cakes as she spent time with families and volunteers of a charity supporting local families in Oxford. Kate, who was completely unfazed that her designer olive green suit was getting dusted in flour, visited Home-Start Oxford on Thursday to learn about the charity’s work supporting parents juggling work, finances and creating loving homes for their families.

The princess began her visit by dropping in on the Rose Buds Stay and Play at the Rose Hill Community Centre, one of several free weekly groups run by Home-Start Oxford, offering families a relaxed space to connect, build support networks and take part in activities such as sensory play, singing, storytelling and movement. The groups also provide access to expert staff and trained volunteers.

Crouching down to help youngsters who were making colourful cakes from plasticine and flour, Kate appeared entirely at ease in the lively environment as she chatted with mothers about her own children.

She expressed mixed emotions as she reflected that her three children, aged 12, 10 and seven, were growing up too fast and revealed that her daughter Charlotte has taken after her parents with a love of the great outdoors. 

One mother told the princess, "This charity is like my village", highlighting how crucial community support networks are for families, especially those raising children on their own. 

She spoke with sisters Mariam Namakula, 30, who works as a prison nurse, and Sumayya Nabatanzi, 28, as their five children ran around having fun.

When one child playfully injected her with a toy syringe, flour marked the jacket of her Victoria Beckham trouser suit. Undeterred, she asked another youngster: “What are you making? Are you making a cake - delicious?”.

Ms Namakula said afterwards: “She was enjoying herself with the kids and said ‘the messier it is the better the fun’. Kate was saying Catherine enjoys the outdoors and doing activities and making things and how her kids are growing up fast. She said George is 12 years old and would soon be starting secondary school.”

Kate's visit coincided with Home-Start UK’s rollout of new volunteer training based on The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood’s Explainer Series — seven animated films and accompanying resources released in August. 

The princess was closely involved in the creation of the series, which aims to help those working with families and carers understand the vital importance of social and emotional development. At the time of its launch, a royal source said the Princess was extremely passionate about the project, which is seen as a key step in her work to raise awareness about the importance of a child's early years development.

Today, Kate saw firsthand how the films are helping parents and young children to build strong relationships and overcome early-years challenges. She also heard from volunteers who discussed how the research could strengthen their work with families.

Katharine Barber, Chief Executive of Home-Start Oxford, who helped develop the animation series earlier this year, said the charity was honoured to welcome The Princess.

She said: “It was such a pleasure to welcome The Princess of Wales and share the work we’re doing to support local families. Her genuine passion for children’s earliest years shone through in the thoughtful conversations she had with both our families and volunteers.

"The work of the Centre for Early Childhood resonates deeply with our ethos at Home-Start Oxford. Our home-visiting and group support is all about creating space for families to build those vital early relationships — something that can be incredibly difficult when you are facing additional pressures like financial strain, isolation, or poor mental health.

"That’s why our holistic approach to support matters so much, and why these animations will be such a powerful tool — empowering our volunteers, and in turn, empowering the families they support. We’re proud to be part of a project that celebrates the everyday moments that shape a child’s future.

Re-create Princess Kate's look on the high street:

One mother who met The Princess said the encounter was meaningful. “It meant so much to be heard. I never imagined I’d be sharing my story with The Princess — and she was so kind and genuinely interested.”

The engagement formed part of Kate’s continuing work to promote the importance of early childhood development and to highlight how community-based support can make a lasting difference to families’ lives.

A Kensington Palace spokesperson added: “Today, The Princess had the opportunity see a space that brings people from across the local community to connect and come together. She also had the opportunity to see the work Home Start is doing to support the foundations for a healthy, happy society.”

The Princess's visit comes just hours after she warned that excessive screen time is creating an "epidemic of disconnection" that disrupts family life.

In an essay co-authored with Professor Robert Waldinger from Harvard Medical School, Kate says that “we’re physically present but mentally absent, unable to fully engage with the people right in front of us."

She says that smartphones and computer screens have become a "constant distraction" in our lives, and are fuelling the epidemic of loneliness.