William and Kate's Day of Engagements in South London
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge carried out three engagements in south London today, which marked Kate's final public appearance before the arrival of the couple's second child next month.
William and Kate's first stop was a visit to the Stephen Lawrence Centre, home to the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust.
Few people in Britain have not heard the tragic story of Stephen, who was born in south-east London in 1974 to parents Neville and Doreen Lawrence, who described their son as an artistic young man who adored art and maths. A young entrepreneur, at 16 he set up a small business selling clothing and book covers. He even appeared as a film extra alongside Denzel Washington in the film For Queen and Country. He was working towards his dream of becoming an architect.
Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust
On the 22nd April 1993, age 18, Stephen was murdered in an unprovoked racist attack. He didn't know his killers and his killers didn't know him. Sadly to this date, only two of the five perpetrators have been convicted of his murder.
In his memory and to inspire and help young people just like him, his family set up the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust. Since 2000, the Trust has helped many young people realise their ambitions to become architects by supporting them with bursaries and mentoring support. In 2008, the Stephen Lawrence Centre was opened in Deptford, south-east London, giving thousands more young people an opportunity to nurture and use their creativity.
Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust
Stephen's mother Doreen was appointed OBE for "services to community relations" in 2013 and was created a life peer. An incredibly brave woman determined to ensure her son was not forgotten, she has carried out work in his name since his death. Baroness Lawrence accompanied the Cambridges today.
Today, the centre is a place for community learning and social research, inspiring and motivating young people. The space is available for conferences, meetings, training and seminars.The trust continues to campaign for fairness and justice, ensuring the lessons from Stephen’s murder are acted on.
Their Royal Highnesses toured the building and met with staff and volunteers at a reception.
Afterwards, they saw the Harris Academy law workshop in the Centre's lecture room and viewed a display of some of Stephen Lawrence's architectural work.
The Duke and Duchess then met with SLIK (Stephen Lawrence Instils Knowledge) Magazine editors in the PC room who are working on the The Write Way project, a digital magazine and website project which offers young people aged 16-26 the opportunity to create, design and manage a digital magazine and interactive website.
An exhibition of work by the Architectural Bursary recipients concluded the tour. Before departure the royal party signed the Centre's visitors' book.
Next, the Cambridges visited XLP, “The eXceL Project” a charity working to create positive futures for young people from inner London boroughs.
In 1996, in response to a stabbing in a school playground, the school’s headmaster asked Patrick Regan, a local church-based youth worker, to come into the school and work with their students and teachers to help with difficult behavioural issues. This was the beginning of XLP, a Christian charity that has an emphasis on being faith-based, but not faith-biased. XLP works equally with young people of all faiths and none.
XLP
William and Kate met key volunteers and supporters of the organisation as well as young people from each of the boroughs XLP supports.
The Duke and Duchess watched an arts performance and were invited onto the stage to meet and thank the performers. They were presented with XLP shirts bearing the logo “I refuse to believe this is a lost generation”.
Finally, William and Kate visited an XLP community bus and the XLP mobile recording studio on the Hazel Grove Estate. The bus project acts as an accessible point of contact for many young people. The buses provide accessible drop-in sessions, which include 1-2-1 mentoring, cooking lessons and small group activities.
There was a clear theme in today's engagements - support organisations created out of terrible tragedies and loss of life. The Duke and Duchess had the opportunity to meet inspirational people who created positive places to help others out of senseless crimes. If you wish to donate to the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust please click here and for XLP please click here.
View image | gettyimages.com
Kate repeated the cerise pink Mulberry coat she wore in New York last December for a visit to the National September 11 Memorial Museum.
The double breasted coat is a double crepe wool/silk blend. It originally retailed for £1500 before selling out shortly after Kate first wore it. It is described as "a timeless winter style with a reassuringly classic silhouette".
Mulberry
Kate wore her favoured Stuart Weitzman 'Power' Pumps again today. The pointed-toe stilettos are currently reduced from $355 to $178 in a variety of colours on the Stuart Weitzman website. They are also available in black and taupe at Nordstrom and Zappos with Free Shipping.
Stuart Weitzman
And carried her Mulberry Bayswater Clutch. The power pumps and Mulberry clutch have been a favourite combinations of Kate's recently.
Kiki McDonough
We'll have more updates and photos as the day progresses.
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Also today, we have a couple of other updates to share. The Duchess shared a message with The Times newspaper reiterating the importance of children's mental health:
"I have been heartened to see that so much progress has been made in ending the taboo of adults openly treating mental wellness as the health issue it is. I believe that our generation of parents, caregivers, teachers, and health workers now have the chance to give the mental health of our children the focus it requires.
I feel strongly that young people and parents need to know that they can ask for help. Just as with physical health, we need to act early to provide support when a child is faced with emotional difficulties.
"This is a discussion that William and I hope to play a part in during the months and years to come. We welcome all work to highlight this important issue for the benefit of all our young people."
This is an area Kate is passionate about and one she could make a significant difference in. We're seeing her slowly forging an individual role for herself within the Royal family, and tackling important yet often overlooked issues such as children's mental health. I look forward to seeing this commitment continue later this year.
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Yesterday, William, Kate and Harry attended the memorial for Richard Meade at Bath Abbey. Mr Meade was Britain's most successful equestrian and his son Harry Meade is a friend of the princes. The Duchess repeated her Beulah London Chaira Coat which she wore for a service at St. Paul's Cathedral earlier this month (with thanks to Kate & Pippa Style)
Kristina Schuler / @livelovelaughr
Finally, as many of you may have heard the next season of Downton Abbey will be the last. Surprising and disappointing news for fans of the show!
We hope you all have a wonderful weekend; we'll be talking all things royal baby next! :)
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