Kate in Erdem for Manchester School Visit & Speech

The Willows Primary School on Manchester’s deprived Wythenshawe estate – which is used as a backdrop for the Channel 4 comedy drama Shameless – has been held up as a beacon of hope and is now rated by Ofsted as Outstanding.

M-PACT (Moving Parents And Children Together) is designed to provide support for children affected by parental drugs or alcohol abuse.

Kate made another speech today, one with significant import, following is a portion of the text:

But those who are addicted are not the only victims. I have been struck by the profound and deeply damaging impact it has on the children of affected parents.

“Last year, I asked The Royal Foundation, which I share with William and Harry, to see what could be done to help these children.

“In partnership with Comic Relief, our foundation commissioned a piece of research to explore this issue. Today, it gives me an enormous feeling of pride and excitement to launch a programme that will bring this research to life.

Kate did a solid job; you can view the entire speech here at ITN’s site.  She also spoke with parents, administrators, and others involved in today’s launch. Following the events inside the school, Kate and John Bishop helped plant a tree.

It looks like some of the children wanted to help plant the tree. 

Many readers will recall that the school’s playground was destroyed by an arson fire last month; three teenage boys were arrested for the crime. The school is hopeful they can raise enough money for replacement equipment, and they have launched a Go Fund Me effort to help collect funds for this purpose. Click here to learn more or make a donation.

Kate arrived at the Wilmslow Train station wearing the UFO (Unidentified Fashion Object) previously seen at the March wedding of friends in Switzerland, Tuesday Porritt shared this photo on Twitter.

Tuesday Porritt Twitter Feed

For flawless, ladylike dressing, look no further than fashion darling Erdem. The label’s signature Visconti-blooms work their way across a demure, fitted shift – its square neckline reminiscent of the 50’s classic. Unashamedly feminine; work this dress as an elegant alternative to the LBD.

Erdem Visconti Bloom Scarf

The Duchess wore her navy Alexander McQueen pumps and carried her Stuart Weitzman navy suede ‘Muse’ clutch from Russell and Bromley.

She also wore her Anoushka pearl drops and Asprey pendant.

You see product shots of those items below. 

One of the day’s entertaining moments had to be when Kate was given a book, more from Victoria Murphy of the Mirror:

Victoria Murphy, The Daily Mirror

Kate’s next engagement is tomorrow night when she attends an evening reception at the National Portrait Gallery in her role as Patron of The Art Room. We’ll leave you with one more photo of the Duchess today. 

LINKAGE:

• Place2Be’s website is here, the organization’s Facebook page can be see here
• Kate is also Patron of Action on Addiction, its website is here, Facebook page here,
• You can learn more about Comic Relief at its website here, the group’s Facebook page is here, its Google+ page is located here
• The 4:40-second speech Kate made at the school may be viewed here, The Telegraph’s story & video may be seen here
• The Daily Mail’s story by Rebecca English is here, Victoria Murphy’s story in The Mirror is here, and Victoria’s live blog of the event can be read here.