CONTINUING HER WORK CHAMPIONING EARLY YEARS THE PRINCESS OF WALES SWAPS PARENTING TIPS AS SHE MEETS FELLOW MUMS ON A DAY OUT IN WINDSOR

It was playtime for the Princess of Wales last week, when she spent time with young children and their families as part of her Shaping Us campaign.

- EMILY NASH

Kate, 41, was in her element cooing over babies and playing with toddlers while chatting to their parents at the Windsor Family Hub, near her own family of five’s Berkshire home.

Continuing her mission to highlight the importance of children’s early years, the Princess discovered how families use the centre’s weekly drop-in sessions to swap parenting tips. Main talking points for the group, she learnt, included “breastfeeding, sleep patterns and weaning”.

Kate’s attention was also caught by one-year-old Emilia Bowman, who was visiting with her mother Kristina Igazova, and she held out a basket of toys to her.

The toddler initially ignored the Princess’s offer – but soon began playing with the items, which made Kate smile. “You cheeky, gorgeous girl,” she said.

BABY LOVE 

Putting aside formality, Kate sat cross-legged on the floor to take part in a baby massage class, squeezing the demonstration doll and saying how much she loved the “squidgy legs” of babies.

There was laughter, too, when she praised a father for joining the five women being instructed on how to massage their babies and said: “It’s great to see a man here.”

Later, Kiran Rudolph, who was at the hub with her three-month-old daughter Raya, said the day was “one for the memory books”.

She added: “She made a point to speak to every single one of us, which was amazing. We were nervous, but she’s a mum as well, so that helps.

“It’s so important to know where to massage our babies. I told Kate my little one is really active so it’s invaluable to know where to squeeze her legs. Kate actually managed to get a smile out of her, too, as she can be windy!”