In a delightful surprise, the Princess of Wales paid an unannounced visit to a Croydon school, where she engaged in creative activities with students in support of Children’s Mental Health Week.

Kate, 44, radiated joy as she conversed with the young learners at Castle Hill Academy, marking her involvement as a patron for the mental health charity Place2Be.

During her visit, she also connected with parents who have received assistance from the charity, while making time to explore the school’s art studio.

Amidst the art supplies, she eagerly participated in coloring worksheets and crafting with tissue paper alongside the children, all while sharing cheerful conversations.

Images captured from the event displayed the eager students presenting the Princess with bouquets, gestures she warmly received.

In addition, Kate engaged with the school’s leadership team, discussing Place2Be’s comprehensive strategy for nurturing children’s mental health and addressing the specific challenges faced by families in New Addington.

It’s been a busy week for the Waleses, as Prince William has been away on a solo visit in Saudi Arabia.

But more than 4,000 miles away from home, it seems the future King is clearly missing his beloved Catherine. It was made clear on Wednesday, as he joined young female football players during a training session in Riyadh to learn about the importance of women’s participation in sport.

The Princess of Wales has made a surprise visit to a school in Croydon – where she got stuck into arts and crafts with young pupils to highlight Children’s Mental Health Week

Kate, 44, beamed while chatting to students at Castle Hill Academy – for her work as patron of mental health charity Place2Be

Kate spoke to pupils, many of whom presented her with cards, during her surprise visit this afternoon

Kate enjoyed some arts and crafts – and also games – during the visit, where she also got to chat to pupils

Kate, a Patron of Place2Be, a UK children’s mental health charity, visited Castle Hill Academy in New Addington, Croydon

Yet while the players were keen to meet Britain’s future King, they appeared somewhat disheartened to learn that the Princess of Wales would not be making an appearance.

In a heartwarming moment captured on the pitch at Misk Sports City, a young player raised their hand tentatively and told the Prince of Wales: ‘I have a question.’

‘Yeah’ said William, who leant down to engage with the young player, who then asked: ‘Did Princess Kate come with you?’

‘No she’s not here sadly,’ William, 43, responded, to which the disappointed young player said: ‘aw.’

When one of the children told the prince that he should bring his family on a future visit to Saudi Arabia, William responded: ‘They would love it here. Will you show them how to play football? My children love football, but you guys are another level.

‘I can see you guys will be at the World Cup very soon, and then you’re going to make me feel very old.’ 

The touching interaction was captured on day two of William’s Saudi Arabia tour, as the heir met with young girls aged ten to 15 from youth squads during their training drills at Riyadh Training Centre.

At one stage, William dusted off his football boots and was even challenged to take part in a crossbar challenge, taking three shots at goal with the aim of hitting the crossbar. However, he instead put all three balls in the net.

Kate smiled as she received cards from the pupils

She was all smiles as she was greeted with crowds of wellwishers

Her Royal Highness also visited the school’s Art Studio, where she joined children taking part in the official Children’s Mental Health Week art project

Photos from the outing also showed delighted pupils lining up to gift the Princess with flowers, which she gratefully accepted

Kate smiled and waved as she made her visit this afternoon

Later, Kate met with the academy’s leadership team. The visit included discussions on Place2Be’s ‘whole-school approach to supporting children’s mental health, as well as the unique challenges facing children and families in New Addington’

An excited Kate surprised children at the school with a visit, and joined in for some arts and crafts

The Princess of Wales pictured during a visit to Castle Hill Academy in New Addington, Croydon

The future Queen listened and chatted with pupils during the outing, which took place this afternoon

The royal was all smiles as she coloured in and cut up carboard and tissue paper with the children

Kate smiled as she laughed along with pupils taking part in Children’s Mental Health Week 2026

‘This is my first time in Saudi Arabia,’ he told the group of young players. ‘Have any of you ever been to the UK? You know the weather’s different – cold and rainy but you have the sunshine here all the time. 

‘Good luck with the football, keep practising and we’ll see you in the World Cup.’

As a parting gift, William was presented by the female athletes with a Saudi national shirt. He was also given smaller versions for each of his three children, Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte, with their names printed on the back. 

As he departed the training centre, William told officials: ‘My children love sport so the more they can get involved and get more active, the better.’

Elsewhere this month, Kate donated a rose to a prison’s mother and baby unit to raise money for a cancer charity. 

The flower known as ‘Catherine’s rose’ was planted at HMP Styal, in Cheshire, by a mother and her child who met the Princess of Wales last February. 

Action for Children, a charity which Kate is a patron and runs the prison’s mother and baby service, said the princess had discussed the prospect of the rose being given as a gift for the outside space during her tour of the unit.

The floribunda rose, which was bred by Harkness Roses and will produce coral-pink blooms, was planted by the unit’s pond. 

The royal also met with parents who have benefitted from the organisation’s support, and paid a visit to the school’s art studio

The attentive royal was all ears as she heard from the leadership teams during her visit to the school

It was named after Kate by the Royal Horticultural Society last May, and donated as part of the princess’s fundraising initiative for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

Five hundred Catherine’s Rose plants were given to green spaces and wellbeing gardens across the UK, including several of Kate’s patronages, by the cancer charity, which also receives funds from the sale of the flower.

Kate was treated at the Royal Marsden for cancer in 2024 but is now in remission.

Amanda Taylor, operational director of children’s services at Action for Children, said: ‘We were delighted to plant “Catherine’s Rose” at HMP Styal, one year on from the princess’s visit.

‘The prison pond and gardens are of huge value to the mothers and babies here, providing children with space to enjoy nature and explore the outdoors, and this new addition will be treasured both by the families we support and staff alike.

‘I would like to thank the Princess of Wales for her kind donation.’

During her visit in February 2025, the princess met with four inmates who have children. She also visited their personal accommodation and nursery.