Watch the Birdies! Duchess of Cambridge makes first visit as royal patron of The Art Room wearing dove-print dress

By Rebecca English


Today the Duchess will put her love of art into practice on her first public engagement as royal patron of The Art Room, which encourages confidence in disadvantaged children

As a history of art graduate she has always had a passion for the subject.

Today the Duchess of Cambridge put her love into practice on her first public engagement as royal patron of The Art Room, which encourages confidence in disadvantaged children.

Wearing the now sold-out Birdie jacquard shirt dress by designer Orla Kiely with brown opaque tights and brown suede ankle boots, Kate, 30, was greeted on her arrival in Oxford by dozens of children waving flags and holding flowers during a short walkabout.

The Duchess of Cambridge arrives at Rose Hill Primary school in Oxford, wearing a dress by Irish designer Orla Kiely

During the visit, the Duchess finally let slip the name of her new cocker spaniel puppy - Lupo. The name is Latin for wolf. An aide confirmed the name has no significance other than the couple liked it.

The Duchess's first stop of the day was to Rose Hill Primary School, where she donned a special pinny with the name 'Miss Catherine' embroidered on the front.

The area is one of the most deprived in the country and of the 340 pupils at the school 48 per cent speak English as a second language and 50 per cent have a special need.

Many are challenged by both.


The Duchess of Cambridge helps Jaydn Proffitt, aged 7, with his painting during a visit to the Art Room facilities

Kate sat with the school children during their painting session

The Art Room works with children to increase their self-esteem, self-confidence and independence through art.

Many of the children are disengaged from mainstream education, disruptive or withdrawn and all have been identified as needing time away from their school.

The charity’s emphasis is on teaching life skills while encouraging children and young people to both relate and engage with each other.


Kate was greeted on her arrival by dozens of children waving flags and holding flowers during a short walkabout


The Duchess has a little bit of trouble with the wind blowing her dress


Kate greets the children as she perches on a welcome mat with all the different languages spoken by pupuls

The Art Room employs senior practitioners who are trained in psychotherapy, art, teaching and social work.

The charity currently works in Oxford and in north London.

At Rose Hill Primary School, The Duchess of Cambridge will join eight children who will be working on the poem The Owl and The Pussycat by Edward Lear.

This is a poem that The Art Room uses regularly to incorporate literacy and to discuss travel, relationships, fantasy and ultimately a good way of getting the children to talk.

The children will be painting part of the story that they wish to represent onto a canvas.

The Duchess will have the opportunity to talk to all the children as well as observe how The Art Room uses 'art as therapy' to help the children manage their difficulties and challenges and help them to communicate and ultimately to re-engage into mainstream education.


The Duchess of Cambridge will join eight children who will be working on the poem The Owl and The Pussycat


The Duchess, greeting well-wishers, will have the opportunity to talk to all the children as well as observe how The Art Room uses 'art as therapy' to help the children manage their difficulties

Kate battled with the strong wind as she bent down to speak with some young fans

The Duchess of Cambridge became Patron of The Art Room in January 2012.

Later she will visit another Art Room project at the Oxford Spires Academy School.

The round-table session will begin with a presentation by two teenage graduates of The Art Room.


Kate is visiting of the most deprived in the country

The Duchess will also be invited to take part in a
training session and round-table discussion about what art as therapy is

The Duchess will then be invited to take part in a training session and round-table discussion about what art as therapy is.

Juli Beatie, who founded the charity ten years ago, said she was thrilled by the Duchess' s patronage: 'It is overwhelming. We are one of the smallest charities in the country and the difference she has made already is incalculable.

'She is a young, independent, intelligent woman who really wants to make a difference.'


Sold out: The Birdie dress was £325 but is now on sale at £162.50


source:dailymail