Kate Middleton sports lighter post-lockdown locks and a polka dot frock

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The Duchess of Cambridge put on a stylish display as she marked the national launch of Tiny Happy People, a BBC Education initiative providing a range of free digital resources to support parents in developing children’s language from pregnancy to the age of four.

Kate Middleton, 38, looked chic in a patterned £1,565 Emilia Wickstead monochrome shirt dress, cinched in at the waist, which is currently on sale for £469, and appears to have had its sleeves altered. 

The mother-of-three, who admitted to wishing she had more information when she was a first time mother, also appeared to have had a post-lockdown hair makeover, sporting honey-coloured highlights and a layered fringe around her face.

Teaming the dress with tan wedges, Kate, who shares George, 6, Charlotte, 5, and Louis, 2, with Prince William, 38  put on an animated display as she met with families who worked on the project, keeping a safe distance.

The Duchess of Cambridge put on a stylish display as she marked the national launch of Tiny Happy People, a BBC Education initiative providing a range of free digital resources

Kate Middleton, 37, looked chic in a patterned £1,565 Emilia Wickstead monochrome shirt dress, cinched in at the waist, which is currently on sale for £469, and appears to have had its sleeves altered

The duchess of Cambridge also told how she wishes she’d had more information when she was a first time mother.  

In an interview with BBC Breakfast’s Louise Minchin about the project Kate described the resources on the Tiny Happy People online platform as ‘gold dust’ for parents adding she wished something similar had been available when she had Prince George. 

Kate even contributed to two cartoon films – one on the ‘science of singing to bump’ while pregnant, and another on how eye contact is key to a baby’s language learning.

The BBC said the duchess helped with the character and background development for the two animations.

The Duchess has been involved with the project for a number of months, having visited the Tiny Happy People team at Broadcasting House in London last November to take part in a creative workshop during which she worked with the team on some of the video resources and social media content.

To mark the launch, last week The Duchess met three families who have been involved in the creation and piloting of Tiny Happy People. 

The Duchess spoke with Ryan and his eight-month-old daughter Mia, as well as parents Henrietta, Abu and their 11-month-old daughter Amirah; and Kerry, Darren and their son Dexter, two.

The Duchess spoke to the families about the ways in which they have used the resources, and how they have seen their children’s language and communication develop as a result.

The mother-of-three also appeared to have had a post-lockdown hair makeover, sporting honey-coloured highlights and a layered fringe around her face

Teaming the dress with tan wedges, Kate put on an animated display as she met with families who worked on the project, keeping a safe distance

Get spotted in the Duchess of Cambridge’s Emilia Wickstead dress

Just like us, the Duchess of Cambridge has a handful of brands she relies on when it comes to dressing for events; one of them is Emilia Wickstead, of course.

Once again, the fashionable royal turned to the designer to make a chic statement, and she didn’t fail to impress. To mark the launch of the BBC’s Tiny Happy People project, Kate wore the ‘Anatola’ shirt dress with her beloved ‘Carina’ wedges by Castaner to complete the look with a summer twist.

Hailing from the Fall/Winter 2019 collection, the dress is cut from a floaty polka dot crepe that’s pleated at the skirt to create a draping silhouette and belted at the waist to contour the figure.

Kate’s had hers slightly altered but, fortunately, the original dress is available to buy in the white version (the black has sold out!). It’s landed in the MATCHESFASHION.COM sale and won’t be around for long so click (right) now.

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Kate said of the project: ‘Families and carers are at the heart of nurturing the next generation of happy, healthy adults, but sometimes it can be hard to know where to turn to for advice. 

‘Tiny Happy People is an invaluable resource which provides parents and carers with support and tips, as well as simple activities to ensure children develop the language skills they need to have the best possible start in life. 

‘I am delighted to have been part of its journey and hope families across the UK will enjoy exploring the resources.’  

The Duchess spoke to the families about the ways in which they have used the resources, and how they have seen their children’s language and communication develop as a result

To mark the launch, last week The Duchess met three families who have been involved in the creation and piloting of Tiny Happy People (seen with with Abu, Henrietta and their 11 month daughter Amirah)

All the resources are rooted in evidence and have been developed with the help of leading experts in the fields of child and language development to ensure parents and carers are being offered the best advice. 

The resources include a short films, articles and quizzes as well as activities to do with babies and toddlers to support language development. There is also advice on how to promote parent well-being.

Recognising the significance of the project to supporting parents as they guide their children through the earliest years of life, The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will collaborate with the BBC as they continue to develop and roll out Tiny Happy People.

The Duchess spoke to the families about the ways in which they have used the resources, and how they have seen their children’s language and communication develop as a result

For the last eight years The Duchess of Cambridge has explored how experiences in early childhood often lie at the root of the hardest social challenges the country faces today. 

What we experience in the earliest years – from in the womb to the age of five – is instrumental in shaping our future lives. 

Her Royal Highness has spent time meeting with families and experts across the country and is working with The Royal Foundation to connect and support organisations who are providing extraordinary services and resources for the next generation. 

Kate was seen chatting with Kerry, Darren and their son Dexter, two, whom she met outside