Inside, she met with uproarious applause, cheers and whoops of delight from the 1000 or so pupils sitting cross-legged on the floor of the school sports hall.
If ever you needed a barometer of The Duchess of Cambridge’s popularity with Britain’s youth this was surely it. Certainly the students had been primed for the royal arrival by their teachers, but their uncontrollable sense of excitement and awe was obvious to see.
The Duchess was here to officially open The ICAP Art Room at Northolt High School in her role as Royal Patron to The Art Room, a national charity offering art as therapy to children and young people aged five to 16 years facing challenges in their lives.
It was the Duchess’s second official engagement of the year and she looked to be enjoying herself.
In a chic fitted bright blue dress from UK high street store LK Bennett and black heels, she chatted to pupils, staff and those involved in the charity and joined the young artists at work in their spanking new Art Room.
“The students were nervous at first, it’s overwhelming. But she completely focussed on them, commenting on their work,” Juli Beattie, Founder Director of The Art Room, told The Weekly. “She’s great at putting the children at ease. It felt like a celebration.”
The Duchess’s involvement is a huge advantage for the relatively small charity – this is the seventh Art Room they have completed in different locations around the UK. It was funded with £105,000 raised by the city firm ICAP (which also has offices in Australia).
The company holds an annual charity day at which guests which have included Princes William and Harry stand in as traders to raise money. ICAP then donates all of its revenue and commissions made on the day to charity.
“There’s no doubt the Duchess’ endorsement makes a huge difference. She believes in the power of art and is also family minded.” says Juli Beattie.
After Kate left the children erupted into excited conversations as they gathered in the assembly room and shared tales of their royal encounters. In her speech Head Teacher Gloria Lowe talked of the power of love, it being Valentine’s Day.
Today in this less-privileged part of suburban outer London, Northolt High School felt a touch of royal love and there’s no question that it made them feel distinctly special.
