Princess of Wales joins school visit to National Portrait Gallery

Catherine held hands with a girl called Grace as the reception class children looked around the exhibition and took part in activities.

The gallery visit is another part of Catherine’s gradual return to work after completing her cancer treatment.

She has also marked World Cancer Day by releasing a photo taken of her by her six-year-old son Prince Louis.

The gallery, which has Catherine as its royal patron, has opened an interactive, storytelling trail for young children, with activities encouraging them to think about their emotions as they create their own self-portrait.

Children from All Souls primary school in Westminster, London tried out the exhibition which uses the idea of a magical tree, with the royal visit surprising visitors at the gallery.

Catherine’s Shaping Us initiative emphasises the importance of the first five years of children’s lives – and the latest stage of the project calls for a greater emphasis on teaching social skills and improving mental health.

The princess, who revealed last month that she is in remission from cancer, has been calling for a “rebalance” in society to encourage people to show more compassion and empathy.

King Charles is continuing his cancer treatment and the Royal Family’s social media channel had a message “sending love to all those navigating a cancer diagnosis – as well as the incredible doctors, nurses, charities and families who work tirelessly to support them”.