Today, our Duchess is visiting The Foundling Museum, which tells the story of the Foundling Hospital, the UK's first children's charity and first public art gallery.
Upon arriving at The Foundling Museum today, Kate gave a comment to the awaiting media about Harry & Meghan: "William and I are absolutely thrilled at such exciting news. It's a really happy time for any couple. We wish them all the best and hope they enjoy this happy moment."
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One thing I love about keeping up with The Duchess is getting to learn about these fantastic charities and organizations that I never knew existed. Today she is visiting The Foundling Museum to learn about its history and how it uses art and creativity to support children and vulnerable families.
The Museum tells the story of the Foundling Hospital, the UK’s first children’s charity, as well as first public art gallery.
The Museum uses the name ‘Foundling’ as it is a historic term applied to children, usually babies, that have been abandoned by parents and discovered and cared for by others.
Abandoned children were not uncommon in the eighteenth century when the Foundling Hospital was established. Mothers unable to care for their children as a result of poverty had few options, leading to some abandoning their babies on doorsteps, outside churches and even on rubbish heaps.
Mothers would leave tokens with their babies on the steps of the Hospital so that they could later identify them, as the babies' names were changed. Some of these tokens are featured in an exhibit that Kate was shown today.
It is estimated that around 1000 babies a year were abandoned in London alone. This was the situation that lead Thomas Coram to set up the Hospital in 1739.
Today, the Foundling Hospital continues as the children's charity Coram, and works to ensure Thomas Coram’s legacy remains. It helps a million children and young people every year to develop their skills and emotional health, find adoptive parents and uphold children’s rights.
The history of the Hospital is told through the Foundling Museum's various exhibits of artwork and artifacts.
One of the Hospital's benefactors, William Hogarth, decided to set up a permanent art exhibition, encouraging other artists to produce work for the hospital. This was considered to be Britain's first ever public art gallery.
Now to what The Duchess wore to today's visit to The Foundling Museum:
Kate debuted a new tea-length dress by Kate Spade. The elegant shirt-dress features a diamond print and a striped band around the waist and skirt hem. It is from the 2018 Resort Collection and is not yet available, but above you can see the pink version . Kate Spade currently has 30% off full priced items and 40% off sale items when using the code MOREJOY if you're interested.
For jewellery, Kate wore Diana's sapphire and diamond earrings.
Kate brought back her Gianvito Rossi 105 Suede Pumps in the colour 'Royale' which are available for $675. She owns four of these 105 pumps in different colours, featuring a 4" heel and elegant pointed toe.
The burgundy Mulberry clutch perfectly matched the pumps and dress details. I love it when Kate accessorizes with colours other than black and nude!
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