Kate Middleton helps during a visit to a baby bank in Barnet, which supports struggling families in the run-up to Christmas

Kate Middleton ditched her power suits today as she lent a helping hand during a visit to a baby bank in Barnet, north London.

The Princess of Wales, 41, headed to Sebby’s Corner to launch an initiative from The Royal Foundation Center for Early Childhood to provide support to families with young children in the run-up to Christmas.

With her hair in loose curls and a natural makeup look, the royal looked at ease as she chatted with staff and helped stack shelves with books and toys.

The mother-of-three, who has made Early Years Development the core of her work in the royal family, wore a light layer of foundation and black eyeliner that perfectly complemented the business-casual look.

Arriving in a warm brown coat, the princess then took it off and today showed off a black turtleneck and brown skirt with trendy boots with knee-high heels. For a touch of glamour, she added £71 Missoma earrings.

The 41-year-old’s recent looks exude a purposeful, business-like image and couldn’t be further away from the primary-toned dresses she’s favored until now.

It has led many to wonder if there is a new face on the Princess team, or if there is a style consultant waiting in the wings.

Sources close to the future queen insist this is not the case, saying Kate’s resilience is simply down to the fact that she is a woman who has finally found her feet.

Sebby’s Corner was founded in January 2021 and provides supplies to families in need across Barnet, Hertfordshire and London.

Families are referred by a large network of referral partners, including professionals such as midwives, health visitors and teachers.

One explains that although the move to become Princess of Wales was challenging, she has now completed a year ‘in this job’.

This coincided with the launch of its new ‘Shaping Us’ campaign to highlight the importance of the early years of childhood and how what happens to us during that time can shape our adult lives.

A source said of Kate: ‘She is spreading her wings and creating public awareness on important issues close to her heart. People have sat up and noticed.

“This is a lifelong campaign for her and the fact that it has been so well received has given her enormous confidence.”

Since opening, Sebby’s Corner has supported more than 5,000 families and referrals have increased year on year.

Powered by local communities, baby banks provide an essential lifeline for families in all kinds of challenging circumstances.

The visit comes as the Royal Foundation Center for Early Childhood published an ‘Issues Index’ which found a third of the general public cite financial pressure as the biggest issue facing parents and carers in 2023.

During her visit, the Princess will hear about the vital work that baby banks across Britain do to get essential items to families, including clothes, nappies, toiletries and baby equipment.

At Sebby’s Corner, the Princess will meet a mother supported by the charity, as well as the referral partner who made the referral.

Her Royal Highness will join volunteers and Shaping Us Champion Giovanna Fletcher to put the finishing touches to Sebby’s annual Christmas Grotto.

The Christmas Grotto provides a space where struggling families have the opportunity to choose gifts for their children.

Finally, The Princess will take part in a conversation with Baby Banks representatives from across the UK to discuss the increasing demand for their services.

There are over 200 baby banks across the country, all of which are currently seeing increased demand for their services.

The Early Childhood Center will be encouraging members of the public to donate money, products and second-hand items, or volunteer, to support their local baby banks this December.

Several Shaping Us Champions will also add their voices to the drive

As highlighted in the Shaping Us campaign that The Princess launched in January, our relationships, experiences and environments in our earliest years lay the foundation that shape the rest of our lives.

Organizations like Baby Banks can help alleviate some of the stresses and strains they face and in turn give parents and caregivers the capacity to provide the nurturing care that is so important for babies and very young children. Supporting parents and carers, who are doing their best to care for their families in incredibly difficult circumstances, is essential and can have a life-changing impact.