Inside Duchess Kate's Visit With Children at the Clore Art Room
This was the pregnant royal's first official engagement of the new year.
— -- The Duchess of Cambridge wowed her littlest fans today at the opening of the Clore Art Room in London, her first official engagement of the new year.
Kate, dressed in a navy Madderson shift dress adorned with multicolored pockets, thrilled the children, who were excited to catch a glimpse of their future queen.
The Duchess of Cambridge arrived to cheers and was quickly ushered inside to admire the students' paintings and enjoy the school's choir's performance of "Lean on Me." She also took part in a round-table discussion on the importance of arts education for young people.
There were gifts to be had, too. During her appearance, the children presented Kate with a decorated chair, presumably a present for Prince George or her new baby, who is due in April.
Her Royal Highness had been scheduled to inaugurate the new Art Room at Barlby School last fall, but was forced to cancel the appearance because of acute morning sickness.
The Art Room aims to help disadvantaged youth ages 5 to 16 through art therapy, which is said to build confidence, self-esteem and encourage creativity. The Duchess of Cambridge, who received an art history degree from St. Andrews University, became the Royal Patron of the charity in 2012.
There are now nine Art Room outlets in various schools from Oxford to London.