PA MediaThe Princess of Wales showed a five-year-old girl how to listen to the sea through a shell as she visited a trauma therapy centre in Bradford.
Catherine met youngsters at Family Action’s Children’s Trauma Therapy Service on the first of three engagements in the north of England.
A spokesperson for the national charity, which helps children aged four to 18 and their families recover from trauma, said it was “honoured” to welcome the princess, who is their patron.
Catherine also visited Wakefield Trinity Rugby League Club and their community foundation to see how their outreach programmes bring generations together and support individuals experiencing isolation in the community.
During her visit to Bradford, Catherine took part in a creative therapy session, seeing first-hand how Family Action uses play and creativity to support children.
The princess met a young girl whose therapist was helping her make a “box of wishes” and showed her how to “listen to the sea” by holding a shell to her ear.
Catherine said: “That’s what I like doing with shells. If you close your eyes, you can sometimes imagine you’re by the beach.”
PA MediaShe also met a 12-year-old boy who described using music during his therapy sessions, and told her how he now plays the drums in a school band because he loves instruments “I can smack”.
She replied: “Exactly, and that’s a fantastic way to express yourself and also manage really difficult and hard feelings that are sometimes harder to express with words.”
A spokesperson for Family Action said Catherine’s visit had created “a really special moment for families” and “meant so much” to the team.
“The visit meant the world to the families she met,” they said.
“Many of the children who took part have been on significant healing journeys, and the opportunity to share their progress in such a gentle, supportive setting made them feel seen, valued and proud of how far they’ve come.”
PA MediaIn Wakefield, giddy fans braved Storm Chandra in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the princess.
One woman remarked: “I’m willing to catch a cold for Princess Kate.”
While another said: “She just seems a really nice person and she is really good with the kids and hands on.”
The princess visited Super League side Wakefield Trinity and their community foundation to learn about their outreach programmes.
Catherine told them: “I love this, the league game is so embedded in community life and it’s so grassroots [and] interaction, and getting youngsters involved but also how clubs like this connect to the rest of the community.
“They’re absolute gold dust really, and I’m so proud to help support the league across the country.”
PA MediaThe princess, who is patron of the Rugby Football League, also met with youngsters from Wakefield’s Inspiring Futures programme, which supports those who are at risk of anti-social behaviour and youth crime.
At the end of her visit, she was gifted a Wakefield Trinity shirt as a memento.
England player and Wakefield captain Mike McMeeken said: “It was great to meet Her Royal Highness and to chat about Wakefield Trinity and all the great things the club and the foundation do.
“She was really keen to hear about the club both on and off the field and now she has a Wakefield Trinity shirt, she is an honorary member of the club.”
For her final engagement of the day, the princess joined Mind Over Mountains, a charity offering professional mental health support through therapeutic outdoor experiences, for a supported well-being walk in the Peak District.
Additional reporting by PA Media.
