The Duchess of Cambridge becomes patron of Hampstead charity

HRH The Duchess of Cambridge has become a patron of Hampstead mental health charity, The Anna Freud Centre.

The patronage announcement comes after the Duchess made two visits to the charity last year, one of which was to the children’s Christmas party.

The Centre, which campaigns for children’s mental health, has said the decision “reflects Her Royal Highness’s continued personal interest in children’s mental health and emotional wellbeing.”

Peter Fonagy, Chief Executive of the Centre, said he is “honoured” by the announcement.

“I’m particularly proud because I have come to recognise just how knowledgeable she is in relation to what is a complex and difficult issue that so few people genuinely understand,” he said. “It is my hope that her future work in this field will serve as a catalyst for all and that we are able to achieve the quality of care that children and their families so richly deserve.”

Michael Samuel, Chair of Trustees at the Anna Freud Centre, said: “We are delighted that the Duchess has chosen to become a patron of the Anna Freud Centre. As a champion of mental health, she will make a huge difference not just to the children and families we support but to families all over the country.”

The Anna Freud Centre is fundraising for its new “centre of excellence” which will be a community hub designed to champion pioneering treatments and approached to children’s mental health across the UK.