The Duchess was in attendance in her role as patron of 100 Women in Finance's Philanthropic Initiatives. Prince William became patron in 2009 and, in 2012, Kate and Harry joined him. They've attended the annual gala in alternate years since, with funds going to their chosen causes in rotation. This year's proceeds will go to Mentally Healthy Schools. It dovetails perfectly with Kate's engagement earlier today - the 'Mental Health in Education' conference where she met teachers from schools using the Mentally Healthy Schools website.
Kate was welcomed by representatives from the V&A Museum, which is one of her patronages.
Launched by the Duchess at the beginning of 2018, ‘Mentally Healthy Schools’ is one of the legacy programmes from the Heads Together campaign, which aims to help people of all ages start conversations about their mental health. The landmark project, run by the Royal Foundation, helps teachers and school leaders better support children's mental wellbeing, by offering school staff reliable and practical resources through a website developed by the youth-focussed charity partners of Heads Together; the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, Place2Be and Young Minds.
One of the key focuses of the website is encouraging a whole-school approach. "A mentally healthy school is one that adopts a whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing. It is a school that helps children flourish, learn and succeed by providing opportunities for them, and the adults around them, to develop the strengths and coping skills that underpin resilience. A mentally healthy school sees positive mental health and wellbeing as fundamental to its values, mission and culture. It is a school where child, staff and parent/carer mental health and wellbeing is seen as ‘everybody’s business’."
100 Women in Finance are the leading global affinity group for professionals in the alternative investments industry. In addition to their philanthropic efforts, they support women in advancing their careers through education and leveraging relationships through peer engagement.
Ahead of the dinner, Kate attended a private reception.
The Duchess makes her entrance for dinner.
Ed Vainker, co-founder and Principal of the Reach Academy in Feltham, told guests about the impact mental health charities are having in schools. “The focus that the Duchess has had on this and on the mental health agenda has really helped schools, parents and young people to destigmatize it and talk about it,” he said.
“She visited my school a year ago and spent three or four hours in the school…hearing about the challenges young people face. She’s obviously really personally interested in it, she builds relationships really easily and she had a huge impact in a short time when she came to see us.”
A photo from Kate's visit to Reach Academy. It marked her first engagement of 2018.
During a speech, Kate reiterated her words on the importance of early intervention from today's conference.
'Your vision is hugely inspiring and testament to what school, teachers, parents and communities can achieve when they all work together.' She added that she had often been asked why she had decided to focus her work on the early years and said that many adult problems can be traced back to the first years of life.
'I have often been asked why I have decided to focus my work on the early years. Having been lucky enough to meet some of our country’s amazing charities and organisations, tackling some of our hardest social challenges, I became acutely aware just how important the earliest years of our lives really are.
'The root cause of some of our most challenging experiences in adulthood, such as poor mental and physical health, addiction, homelessness, crime and family breakdown, can so often be traced back to the very earliest years of someone’s life and often over generations.
'We therefore need to look at the prevention of some of these issues, before they take hold and become a problem. The evidence is clear that from birth, the first few years of a child’s life are more pivotal for social, physical and emotional development and for future health and happiness than any other single moment in a lifetime.'
Kate thanked 100 Women in Finance for their support. "Over the past decade you have been unwavering in your support of our patronages and your efforts have made a huge difference to so many of our charities. So I just wanted to say thank you, for this wonderful evening and for all of your support over the years, I can’t tell you what a difference it makes."
Kate posed for a photo with representatives from 100 Women in Finance.
The night raised over £500,000 for Mentally Healthy Schools.
Lorraine Heggessey, Chief Executive, The Royal Foundation, said:
A video with footage of Kate's speech.
Before we discuss Kate's look tonight; a refresher of other gowns she wore for the gala in previous years. In 2011, the then newlywed chose the red Beulah Sarai dress.
The night raised over £500,000 for Mentally Healthy Schools.
Lorraine Heggessey, Chief Executive, The Royal Foundation, said:
“The funds raised by 100 Women in Finance for The Royal Foundation’s Mentally Healthy Schools initiative will go a long way to making a great difference to the lives of children and young people across the UK. They will enable us to invest further in the practical tools that are helping teachers, parents and healthcare professionals provide the best possible mental health support to their children and pupils. We have made great strides in a short space of time since launching the initiative, but there is so much more to do to better support children’s wellbeing and ensure that young people have early intervention and access to the right support. Working with an organisation that shares our passion for supporting children and young people, and mental health, has been especially important.”
A video with footage of Kate's speech.
Before we discuss Kate's look tonight; a refresher of other gowns she wore for the gala in previous years. In 2011, the then newlywed chose the red Beulah Sarai dress.
In 2013, Kate chose her favourite ink blue Jenny Packham gown.
And in 2015, it was the much talked about (and not terribly popular...) Erdem Alouette.
Tonight, Kate selected a sweeping tonal rose pink, off-shoulder tulle gown by Gucci. The bespoke gown has a romantic fairytale air to it, timely with Valentine's Day tomorrow. It's a divisive choice with reactions in the 'love it' or 'hate it' camp. I'm in the former, as I love the silhouette and shades of pink. It's always fun to see Kate mixing it up and this was a fresh take on her love of off-the-shoulder gowns.
The Duchess teamed the gown with her Oscar de la Renta Cabrina pumps. The shimmering $690 pumps are described as "our enduringly classic Cabrina pumps...reworked for the new season in glistening platinum lamé. This Italian-made pair has a sleek, architectural silhouette with a pointed toe, scalloped sides and raised back". They are currently sold out.
Kate accessorised with her statement Kiki McDonough morganite earrings. Kate first wore the £7,000 special edition pair for Pippa's wedding.
And the clutch she carried to Princess Eugenie's wedding. It's thought to be a Prada piece.
A closer look at Kate's hair and make up.
It's been a very memorable week for gowns!
If you're just joining us, click here to view today's earlier post covering Kate's attendance at the 'Mental Health in Education' conference.
What do you think of tonight's look?
