Kate Reveals She's "Absolutely Thrilled" for Harry and Meghan During Foundling Museum Visit!

by sajjad November 28, 2017 0 Comments
The Duchess of Cambridge visited the Foundling Museum this morning to learn more about the museum's history and the way it continues to focus on its founding principles to use art and creativity as a means to support and engage children and vulnerable families.


The Duchess arriving.


Kate was all smiles upon arrival following what one imagines was an evening of celebrations at Kensington Palace after the engagement announcement of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Meghan and Harry are residing in Nottingham Cottage - William and Kate's first home. In the coming months I have no doubt the Duchess will be on hand to give Meghan advice with the royal wedding approaching. A statement from William and Kate read 'We are very excited for Harry and Meghan. It has been wonderful getting to know Meghan and to see how happy she and Harry are together.' During the engagement interview, Meghan added Kate has been "wonderful". It's a hugely exciting time for the family.


Of course the engagement was the immediate source of conversation. Kate was happy to share her delight at the news:

"William and I are absolutely thrilled. It�s such exciting news. It�s a really happy time for any couple and we wish them all the best and hope they enjoy this happy moment.�

Very interestingly, Kate actually walked up to the press to share her message. Although it was pre-arranged, it was surprising and I believe a first for the Duchess.


Several of you on social media noted how nervous Kate appeared - a sentiment echoed by royal reporter Rebecca English.



Emily Andrews added:


The Foundling Museum explores the history of the Foundling Hospital, the UK�s first children�s charity and first public art gallery.


Kate has been deeply interested in art since her university days. Today's visit will have been a fascinating one for her.


The Foundling Hospital, which continues today as the children�s charity Coram, was established in 1739 by the philanthropist Thomas Coram to care for babies at risk of abandonment. After 17 years of tireless campaigning, Thomas Coram finally received a Royal Charter from King George II in 1739, enabling him to establish his Foundling Hospital. From 1741 when the first babies were admitted, to 1954 when the last pupil was placed in foster care, the Foundling Hospital cared for and educated around 25,000 children. Instrumental in helping Coram realise his vision was the artist William Hogarth, who encouraged leading artists of the day to donate work, and George Frideric Handel, who conducted annual benefit concerts in the Hospital�s chapel. Their creative generosity set the template for the ways in which the arts can support philanthropy.


Today artists continue to be central to the Foundling Museum�s work; through a dynamic programme of exhibitions and events the museum celebrates the ways in which the arts have helped improve children�s lives for over 275 years and aims to inspire everyone to make a positive contribution to society.


If you�re looking for unique things to do around King's Cross, the museum is a hidden London gem.


The Court Room of the Foundling Hospital was called "the most perfect room in London", with its grand rococo ceiling and artwork depicting the plight of children in biblical tales, including Hogarth's 'Moses before Pharaoh's Daughter'. When the original eighteenth-century Hospital was torn down in the 1920s, the Court Room was saved and painstakingly reconstructed. It can be seen in all its glory by visitors to the Museum today.


Exhibitions currently on display include Basic Instincts. Curated by Dr Jacqueline Riding, Basic Instincts explores Georgian attitudes to love, desire and female respectability through the radical paintings of Joseph Highmore. It is the first major Highmore exhibition for 50 years and explores this decade of disruptive social commentary in his art.


During her visit, Kate received a briefing on the history of the Hospital and how the museum continues to engage vulnerable and marginalised young people.


The Duchess viewed tokens which were left by mothers with their babies at The Foundling Hospital so they could identify them.


They are now on display in the museum.


The Duchess met families and children who have benefited from the museum's education and outreach programmes.


Kate met pre-school children from a local nursery who regularly visit the museum and young care leavers who are being trained to run their own creative workshops.


As always, Kate was in her element with the children.


Time for a spot of arts and crafts.


Kate with eleven-year-old Olivia who took part in art therapy sessions at Great Ormond St hospital.


Kate wore a pretty diamond print Kate Spade dress today. The shirt style dress features a long flowing skirt with stripe detail. The piece is not yet available, it's from the Resort 2018 Collection (amazing ID by Perth Fashion). Below, we show it in pink. Kate's dress will be available online from Friday.

A closer look at the band on the waist with a distinctive burgundy stripe.


Other Kate Spade pieces available in the same diamond print include the Diamond Jacquard Jacket, the Diamond Print Pleated Skirt (reduced from $298 to $208) and the Diamond Jacquard Cigarette Pants (reduced from $198 to $138). Thanks to Kate Middleton and Middleton Maven!

Bloomingdales

For those fond of the brand, they are offering 30% off full-priced items and 40% off sale items with code MOREJOY until tonight.


The Duchess teamed the dress with her burgundy Gianvito Rossi pumps.

Gianvito Rossi

And carried her burgundy Mulberry suede clutch.


For jewellery, Kate opted for her sapphire and diamond oval earrings.


Commenting Note: I want to conclude the post with an important note, which I'm posting both here and on Mad About Meghan, on comments moving forward. Whilst the very vast majority of comments on both blogs were fair, reasonable and enjoyable to read, I have observed an ongoing issue which (as my grandmother would say) needs to be swiftly nipped in the bud. I am referring to mainly unpublished comments. Kate is Kate. Meghan is Meghan. Both are entirely different women, with different strengths and weaknesses, in entirely different roles. In a society that pits women against each other, as a community we must strive to avoid the Kate v Meghan narrative. On 'both sides' of the fence, particularly cruel remarks have been left. The primary reason I started the separate blog was to avoid the negativity created by endless comparisons. This blog is not a venue for tearing Meghan Markle apart nor is the other blog a place to relentlessly bash the Duchess of Cambridge. I think people forget William, Kate, Harry and Meghan are all on the same team - the future of the monarchy - this sort of imagined rivalry is the very last thing they want. Moving forward, I hope we can enjoy following both women without a repeat of the unkind remarks left yesterday. Thank you very much for reading and for your understanding.


We'll see Kate tomorrow when she visits Robin Hood Primary School to celebrate their work with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Campaign for School Gardening.

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