The Princess of Wales made a high-profile visit to Croydon Thursday 12th February 2026, arriving at Castle Hill Academy in New Addington to mark the beginning of Children’s Mental Health Week. The engagement brought a spotlight to the borough, focusing on the vital support systems available to young students navigating emotional challenges.
Upon arrival, The Princess was greeted by a reception of smiling faces and rows of students waving colourful flags they had made specially for the occasion. The visit was centred around the work of the children’s mental health charity Place2Be, of which The Princess is a Royal Patron. The charity established the annual mental health awareness week, which this year is operating under the theme “This is My Place”.
Inside the Classroom: Belonging Maps
The core of the visit took place inside the school, where The Princess joined a group of children aged nine to 11 for an art lesson. The session was designed to explore the week’s theme by encouraging students to think about where they belong. The children were tasked with creating “belonging maps”, visual representations of the people, places, and life experiences that make them feel secure and connected.
Surrounded by art supplies, The Princess engaged directly with the students’ work. Pointing to one child’s creation, she reinforced the central message of the day, remarking: “Kindness is key, that’s a very important message, isn’t it?”.
The atmosphere was described as warm and encouraging. She took time to compliment individual students on their creativity, telling one boy he was “very talented” as he drew a plane, and bonding with another student over a shared love of tennis. Later, in the outdoor play area, she shared a personal detail with the children, revealing that her favourite colour is green because “it reminds me of nature and being outside”.
A Mother’s Story
Beyond the classroom activities, the visit highlighted the tangible impact of early mental health intervention. Castle Hill Academy hosts a dedicated therapy room provided by Place2Be, offering students a safe space to talk.
In a poignant moment during the visit, The Princess met with the mother of a reception-year student who had benefited directly from this service. The boy had sadly lost his father while in reception, a traumatic event that had caused him to become withdrawn.
His mother shared with The Princess how the counselling sessions had transformed her son’s behaviour. She described him as having been “very quiet” before receiving help, but noted that he now “loves to talk” and had recovered his confidence to such a degree that he recently took part in a school talent show.
When the mother mentioned that her son does not play an instrument or sing, The Princess laughed and responded with a supportive observation: “But he likes being on the stage.”. This interaction underscored the critical nature of having professional mental health support embedded directly within the school environment.
A Lasting Impression
The visit concluded with The Princess expressing that she was “really, really impressed” by the school and its facilities. For the staff and students of Castle Hill Academy, hosting a royal visit was a significant moment of recognition. By choosing Croydon as the location to launch this national conversation, The Princess of Wales has helped to amplify the message that for young people, understanding where they belong and knowing that support is available, is the foundation of mental wellbeing.
