KATE'S BACK TO BUSINESS

THE DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE SHOOK OFF THE DAMAGING CLAIMS IN BBC ONE’S THE PRINCES AND THE PRESS DOCUMENTARY LAST WEEK AS SHE GOT DOWN WITH THE KIDS AT A SCHOOL IN HARROW

- KIRSTY NUTKINS

The past 12 months have been some of the most challenging in recent history for the royal family, with the death of the Duke of Edinburgh, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s explosive interview with Oprah, the Queen’s ill health and, now, a controversial new BBC documentary making damaging allegations.

The first episode of the two-part programme, The Princes And The Press, aired last week and suggested that negative stories about the Duchess of Sussex were leaked by courtiers and that there were rivalries between different royal households. In a rare move, the royal family issued a joint statement criticising the BBC for giving credibility to “overblown and unfounded claims”.

But while the documentary had clearly shaken the royals, they were determined not to show it, as they continued to put on a brave face at public engagements.

The morning after the programme aired, a defiant Duchess of Cambridge seemed unfazed by the furore as she headed to Nower Hill High School in Harrow, where she joined youngsters learning about neuroscience and the importance of early childhood development. Kate wore a vibrant pink coat and matching jumper with dark trousers and heels for the visit and styled her hair in long waves.

The Year Eight science lesson that Kate joined was looking at research project run by the University of Oxford, which aims to embed the key principles of early childhood development and neuroscience in students. The visit comes after Kate launched The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood this summer.