'Charming' Kate 'exploring new depths' with pioneering CBeebies appearance

THE DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE'S CBeebies appearance is "part and parcel" of her "pioneering" work as a royal, a leading commentator says.

09:01, Mon, Feb 14, 2022 | UPDATED: 09:12, Mon, Feb 14, 2022

The Duchess of Cambridge visits the Natural History Museum

Kate invited young viewers into her bedtime story den for a reading of a book she enjoyed as a little girl. She described the children's classic The Owl Who Was Afraid Of The Dark, by Jill Tomlinson, as an encouraging tale during her narration of the book to mark Children's Mental Health Week.

At the beginning of Sunday night's episode, the Duchess says: "Hello, my name is Catherine and tonight we're in my bedtime story den.

"I've chosen a story which I remember reading as a little girl. It's called The Owl Who Was Afraid Of The Dark."

And at the end of the reading, the Duchess adds: "Wow, what an encouraging tale. We can all feel scared sometimes just like our little owl friend Plop, but as Mrs Barn Own said, 'It's better to find out about the things that scare us before we make up our mind'.

"And with the help of others, we can often face things that worry us. Now it's time for bed. Night night and sleep tight."

Kate

Kate's work in early years and mental health has been praised as 'pioneering' by a royal commentator (Image: Getty)

visits students at the University of Derby to hear how the pandemic has impacted university life

Kate visits students at the University of Derby to hear how the pandemic has impacted their lives. (Image: Getty)

The Duchess took part in the broadcast on the BBC channel to mark Children's Mental Health Week which is a national event aiming to highlight the importance of the issue.

She picked Tomlinson's book as the story chimes with this year's theme of Growing Together.

Kate follows in the footsteps of Hollywood star Chris Evans, best known for playing Captain America, Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl as well as actors Tom Hiddleston and Tom Hardy, who have all appeared on CBeebies Bedtime Stories.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams hailed Kate's appearance as a charming way to promote an issue which is dear to her heart.

Cardiff Castle to meet local university students and hear about some of the challenges they have experienced during the pandemic

Kate and William visit Cardiff Castle to meet local university students. (Image: Getty)

Duchess of Cambridge speaks to four representatives from organisations which will benefit from the Royal Foundation's £1.8 Million fund

Kate speaks to a representative of an organisation benefiting from a £1.8m fund for mental health (Image: Getty)

He told Express.co.uk: "The reading itself is entertaining, but it has meaning to it. The idea is children should move beyond safe spaces and comfort zones to find new challenges. She has read the book to her own children.

"The Duchess does a tremendous amount for children, specifically her work in early years."

Kate follows the Duchess of Sussex who read her own children's story, The Bench, on YouTube.

Mr Fitzwilliams noted that while Meghan's story focuses on the relationship between a father and son, Kate's choice emphasises her passion to promote mental wellbeing.

DON'T MISS:
Russia vs Ukraine in charts and numbers: How a conflict could play out [REVEALED]
Putin taunts Truss over sanctions - 'Don't give a s***!' [LATEST]
Michael Portillo in tense clash over Russia invasion plan [REPORT]

with children during a cooking workshop, during an official visit to PACT (Parents and Children Together) in south London

Kate with children during a cooking workshop during an official visit to south London. (Image: Getty)

visits The Prince's Foundation training site for arts and culture at Trinity Buoy Wharf

Kate visits The Prince's Foundation training site for arts and culture in London. (Image: Getty)

He said: "It's all part and parcel of Kate's mission to inform us more about early childhood. It's something she feels hasn't been dealt with in depth before. It's important work. As a royal, her work is pioneering."

The former editor of The International Who's Who explained that, while the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have taken up fewer causes than senior royals, doing so allows them to focus in greater depth on issues which concern them.

He said the Duchess's work in early years and mental health is important.

Mr Fitzwilliams added: "She enjoys being with children. She knows she can make a difference, giving [the issue of mental health] a tremendous boost and exciting interest in it."

Kate

Kate reading the bedtime story on CBeebies. (Image: Kensington Palace/PA)

during a visit to charity, Church on the Street, on January 20th, 2022 in Burnley

Kate and William visit charity Church on the Street in Burnley. (Image: Getty)

He explained how the Duchess is due to go to Copenhagen later this month where she is expected to join Mary, Crown Princess of Denmark, for events which will enable her to learn more about the country's approach to early years development.

Kate will also be in the Scandinavian country in the year Queen Margrethe II celebrates her Golden Jubilee.

The solo visit without William is believed to be the Duchess's first overseas trip since visiting Ireland in 2020.

Mr Fitzwilliams said: "[The Duchess's] aim for the future is clearly to help promote the mental health issue which she and William have done a tremendous amount for."

On Kate's CBeebies appearance, he said: "It was a very good idea. This is drawing attention to Children's Mental Health Week and also helps with the celebrity quotient they've had before.

"It's a wonderful idea to read children's stories like this. [The Duchess's] sitting down in jumper and jeans, cross-legged with stuffed owls - it's very charming."

The Owl Who Was Afraid Of The Dark as read by the Duchess can be viewed on the CBeebies iPlayer channel.