Kate Middleton looks stunning in rain while helping inmate mothers feel 'comfortable' during prison visit

WILMSLOW, UK: Kate Middleton’s sophistication was on full display even in gray weather conditions.

The 43-year-old Duchess of Cambridge was seen in Wilmslow, England, strolling under an umbrella while effortlessly maintaining her signature polished look, PEOPLE reported.

Kate Middleton comforts inmate mothers during prison visit

The specific reason for her trip was on-site at HMP Styal, which is a women’s prison and young offender institution. It houses around 400 female convicts and even has a mother and baby unit that is managed by Action for Children, a charity that Catherine, one of her patronages, supports and advocates for.

This organization’s mission is to help every child get a secure and happy start in life, an issue that the princess has long championed.

On Tuesday, the royal spent time with staff and former inmates, learning about the resources available, from specialized programs to parenting assistance.

She also met three babies living in the unit and took a quiet stroll to chat privately with two mothers and their newborns.

Amanda Taylor, Operational Director of Children’s Services at Action for Children, described the visit as an “incredible visit.”

Speaking to PEOPLE, she expressed gratitude saying, "We felt very privileged that the princess visited one of our mother and baby units. We consider them our little gems that we don’t always get publicity about. It is incredibly important work that we deliver and for the princess to shine a light on that work was a fantastic opportunity for us."

Taylor noted that while the mothers in the unit were "nervous," the Princess of Wales made everyone feel "incredibly comfortable."

Kensington Palace later confirmed her discussions focused on rehabilitation and family support programs. Roughly 200 miles from London, the facility houses about 400 female prisoners, all aged over 18 years.

During her visit, the princess spoke with inmates, toured the nursery where mothers live with their children, and met with staff and former residents, according to Kensington Palace.

Kate wore a burgundy turtleneck layered under a long, brown plaid coat paired with heeled suede boots, the look was polished, practical, and perfectly suited for the chilly weather.

Princess Kate champions early childhood with new ‘shaping us’ initiative

Princess Kate is doubling down on her mission to transform early childhood development, unveiling a new initiative that puts emotional and social skills at the forefront. The Shaping Us Framework, launched on Feb 2, marks a major step in her long-standing commitment to ensuring that children aged 0-5 get the best start in life.

Developed by the Royal Foundation’s Centre for Early Childhood, which Kate founded in 2021, the framework is the result of extensive research from leading experts in human development across the UK and beyond.

It highlights how early experiences shape long-term mental and physical well-being, urging parents, educators, and policymakers to prioritize these crucial first years.

As part of her gradual return to public duties following her cancer remission announcement, Kate stepped out on Feb 4 for a hands-on visit to London’s National Portrait Gallery. There, she joined a school trip demonstrating key principles of the Shaping Us initiative in action, reinforcing her deep involvement in practical solutions for childhood development.

Kate has been a patron of Action for Children since 2016, working closely with the charity to support vulnerable families. In 2023, she opened Hope Street in Southampton, a groundbreaking community supporting mothers in the justice system.

She has also visited HMP High Down (2023) and HMP Send (2020, 2015), further highlighting her commitment to social reform.