A RIGHT ROYAL SCHOOL TRIP

Youngsters enjoy a day out with a difference at the National Portrait Gallery as the Princess of Wales mucks in like any other mum

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Holding hands with a little girl who knew her only as Catherine, helping children with their coats and joining in with a game of I Spy on the bus, the Princess of Wales was just like any other mum volunteering on the school trip.

But having already seen Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis off to school, this time she was in London to join a group of four- and five-year-olds for a visit to the National Portrait Gallery.

On an outing that brought together two of her biggest passions - art and early childhood - this was a hugely important moment for Kate, who has made early years development the cornerstone of her work.

The Princess, who is patron of the gallery, was there to launch The Bobeam Tree Trail, a free interactive visitor route based on the Shaping Us Framework, which outlines 30 social and emotional skills that are crucial to living a healthy, happy life at all ages.

The framework, launched by the Princess last week, is said to be a "milestone" moment for her Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, and she kept herself informed about its progress as she recovered from cancer last year.

She hopes its findings, drawn up by global experts, will be embraced across society by people of all ages, not just parents.

And last week she joined the first youngsters to experience a project based on the framework.

"Nice to meet all of you! My name's Catherine and I'm going to come on your school trip today.

Have you all got your seatbelts on?" she asked pupils from All Souls CofE Primary School in Marylebone, central London, as they boarded a minibus laid on by Kensington Palace.

And after being partnered with the future Queen for the trip, one little girl, Grace, quickly became a firm friend, clutching Kate's hand for much of the visit.