Glowing Duchess of Cambridge 'moved and overwhelmed' after meeting foster families
THE Duchess of Cambridge stepped out for the second day in a row this week as she celebrated the work of foster carers and the children they look after.
Kate, who is six months pregnant, dazzled in a dark brown Hobbs shirt-dress that showed a hint of a baby bump.
The Duchess, was moved and overwhelmed as she sat with energetic youngsters at the tea party, organised by the Fostering Network, in Islington.
She spoke to foster mothers and fathers and shook hands with everyone in the room as she told them: "I've heard a huge amount about fostering, it's really great for me to have an opportunity to speak to you."
Speaking with 18-month-old Penny May, who was with foster mum Debbie, the Duchess of Cambridge added: "She’s a little bit older than George. She’s very cheeky.”
Debbie, who has been a fosterer for the last 30 years told Kate she had travelled from Diss in Norfolk for the event, speaking afterwards she said: "I take teenagers out of London to help them get through school.
“She said they must find it very strange to be suddenly away from the city because Diss is a lot quieter.
“I was surprised she knew Diss, but she lives up in North Norfolk, so she did."
Kate later told the carers: “It’s really so fantastic what you are all doing, supporting all these kids and giving them these opportunities. Well done.
“I’m still learning about fostering.”
The Fostering Network based at Islington Council offices in North London states that more than more than 63,000 children live with over 52,500 foster families across the UK, and these youngsters have often experienced neglect and abuse or witnessed domestic violence.
As she left Kate was presented with a posy of flowers by 18-year-old Chloe Delaney who was fostered from the age of 9.
Chloe, who played for Arsenal juniors, said: “I was nervous. I’ve hit a lot of targets I don’t think I would have hit if I wasn’t in care.
“There are a lot of stereotypes about kids in care being problem kids, but it’s not like that.
“As a kid, my toy was a football and I’m tomboyish and people got that sense of me, that I liked sport.
“So my adviser came to me and said there was an opportunity to go to Brazil and I said, yes, I want that.”
Yesterday the Duchess opened a new art centre at Barlby Primary School.
She was joined by fellow patron of the Art Room, transvestite artist Grayson Perry.
