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

Kate Middleton ditched her powers suits today as she gave a helping hand as she visited a baby bank in Barnet, north London.

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

Keeping her hair down in a loose curls, and sporting a natural make-up look the royal looked at ease as she chatted to 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, sported a light layer of foundation and black eyeliner which paired perfectly with the business casual look.

After arriving in a warm brown coat, the Princess  slipped it off to show a black polo neck and brown skirt today with trendy knee high heeled boots. For a touch of glam, she added £71 Missoma earrings.

The 41-year-old's recent looks project a purposeful, business-like image and could not be further from the primary-hued dresses she has favoured until now. 

It has led many to ask whether there is a new face on the Princess' team, or whether there is a style advisor in the wings.

Sources close to the future Queen insist that is not the case, saying the spring in Kate's step is simply down to her being a woman who has finally hit her stride.

Sebby's Corner was formed in January 2021 and provides items to families in need across Barnet, Hertfordshire and London. 

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

One explains that while the 'step-up' to become Princess of Wales was a daunting one, she now has a year 'in the job' under her belt.

This has coincided with the launch of her 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's been spreading her wings and creating a public awareness on important issues that are close to her heart. People have sat up and taken notice.

'This is a lifelong campaign for her and the fact that it has been so well received has given her an enormous amount of confidence.'

Since opening, Sebby's Corner has supported over 5,000 families and has seen year on year increase in referrals. 

Powered by local communities, baby banks provide a vital lifeline for families in all sorts of challenging circumstances. 

The visit comes as The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood published an 'Issues Index', which found that a third of the general public cite financial pressures as the biggest issue facing parents and carers in 2023.

During her visit, The Princess will hear about the crucial work baby banks do across the UK to get essential items to families, including clothing, nappies, toiletries and baby equipment. 

Whilst at Sebby's Corner, The Princess will meet a mother who has been 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, in putting the final touches to Sebby's annual Christmas Grotto. 

The Christmas Grotto provides a space where families who are struggling the chance to choose gifts for their children. 

Finally, The Princess will join a conversation with representatives from Baby Banks from across the UK to discuss the increasing demand on their services.

There are more than 200 baby banks around the country, all of which are currently seeing rising demand for their services. 

The Centre for Early Childhood will be encouraging members of the public to donate funds, products and pre-loved items, or to volunteer their time, to support their local baby banks throughout December.

 Several Shaping Us Champions will also be adding their voice to the drive 

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

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