They grow up so fast! Kate Middleton tells a fellow mum she 'can't believe Prince George is already six' as she sports elegant £270 polka dot shirt for visit to children's centre

  • Duchess of Cambridge, 37, visited a children's health and development centre in south London today 
  • The royal was on hand to learn more about a programme that offers home visits to young first-time mothers 
  • Kate looked typically polished in a £270 polka dot blouse, tailored black trousers and £520 heels 
  • She appeared in excellent spirits as she spent time with families who have benefited from the services 
  • Told another mother that she 'can't believe' Prince George is already six and is growing up so quickly  

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The Duchess of Cambridge said she 'can't believe' how fast Prince George is growing up as she spoke to parents at a children's centre in London today.  

Kate, 37, visited Sunshine House Children and Young People's Health and Development Centre to learn about the Family Nurse Partnership (FNP), a voluntary programme that offers home visits to young first-time mothers.

Speaking to stay-at-home mother Chloe Koroma, 22, who is helped by the initiative, Kate admitted she has been struck by the change in her eldest son. 

'She [the Duchess of Cambridge] asked how old [my son] Oliver is and what football shirt he was wearing,' Ms Koroma said. 'She said children grow up so quickly and she can't believe George is six already.'

Kate - who wore a £270 polka dot Equipment blouse, £520 Gianvito Rossi heels and black culottes for the outing -couldn't keep the smile from her face as she met parents and children who have benefited from the services. 

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The Duchess of Cambridge was on hand to learn more about the Family Nurse Partnership (FNP), a voluntary programme that offers home visits to parents aged up to 24. She appeared in excellent spirits as she spent time with parents and children who had benefited from the services, and appeared particularly charmed by one little girl, pictured

The Duchess of Cambridge was on hand to learn more about the Family Nurse Partnership (FNP), a voluntary programme that offers home visits to parents aged up to 24. She appeared in excellent spirits as she spent time with parents and children who had benefited from the services, and appeared particularly charmed by one little girl, pictured

The Duchess of Cambridge showcased her maternal nature as she spent time with one young girl and her mother at Sunshine House in Peckham, South London today. However the little girl appeared unsure of the VIP guest

The Duchess of Cambridge showcased her maternal nature as she spent time with one young girl and her mother at Sunshine House in Peckham, South London today. However the little girl appeared unsure of the VIP guest

The Duchess of Cambridge looked polished in black culottes and chunky black suede heels for the outing on Thursday. Pictured, Kate mingling at the centre
The Duchess of Cambridge leaving with a beautiful posy of yellow flowers in hand

The Duchess of Cambridge looked polished in black culottes and chunky black suede heels for the outing on Thursday. Pictured, Kate mingling at the centre (left) and leaving with a beautiful posy of yellow flowers in hand, right

The Duchess of Cambridge looked in her element as she spent time with families and staff members during the visit. The outing marks a continued interest of the royal in early years development as a cornerstone of her royal work

The Duchess of Cambridge looked in her element as she spent time with families and staff members during the visit. The outing marks a continued interest of the royal in early years development as a cornerstone of her royal work

The royal mother-of-three appeared particularly taken with one little girl, who looked away shyly when the Duchess leaned in to speak. 

The Duchess of Cambridge was given a warm welcome by staff members when she arrived at the centre this morning. Typically gracious, she spent time speaking before making her way inside to meet more of the team. 

The royal has made early years development a cornerstone of her royal work, and she appeared particularly engaged as she heard more about the work carried out by the FNP. 

As part of the programme, mothers aged up to 24 are partnered with a specially-trained family nurse who visits them regularly, from early pregnancy until their child is two. 

The programme helps young mothers to have a healthy pregnancy, improve their child's health and development, and reach their goals and aspirations. 

Much of Kate's visit was conducted in private so she could discuss in confidence the circumstances of the parents helped by the FNP programme, which was established in 2007.  

The Duchess of Cambridge was given a warm welcome by staff members when she arrived at the centre this morning. She later sat down to speak to families, including the one pictured, who had benefited from the volunteer visits by nurses

The Duchess of Cambridge was given a warm welcome by staff members when she arrived at the centre this morning. She later sat down to speak to families, including the one pictured, who had benefited from the volunteer visits by nurses 

The little girl looked away shyly as the Duchess of Cambridge leaned in to speak to her and her mother at the centre, pictured. The royal, a mother of three, smiled widely as she spent time with the adorable little girl and her mother

The little girl looked away shyly as the Duchess of Cambridge leaned in to speak to her and her mother at the centre, pictured. The royal, a mother of three, smiled widely as she spent time with the adorable little girl and her mother

During her visit, Kate spoke to first-time mothers who have been helped with the Southwark branch of the initiative, as well as nurses who take part in the programme. Pictured, Kate at one roundtable discussion during the visit today

During her visit, Kate spoke to first-time mothers who have been helped with the Southwark branch of the initiative, as well as nurses who take part in the programme. Pictured, Kate at one roundtable discussion during the visit today 

Members of staff lined the corridor and clapped as the Duchess of Cambridge made her entrance today, pictured. Kate looked typically stylish in her monochrome ensemble as she mingled with staff inside the south London centre

Members of staff lined the corridor and clapped as the Duchess of Cambridge made her entrance today, pictured. Kate looked typically stylish in her monochrome ensemble as she mingled with staff inside the south London centre 

Kate, 37, donned a £270 polka dot blouse pictured, for the outing to the children's centre in London today. She learned more about a programme supporting young first-tio

Kate, 37, donned a £270 polka dot blouse pictured, for the outing to the children's centre in London today. She learned more about a programme supporting young first-tio

Ms Koroma, whose son was wearing a Huddersfield Town top as his uncle Josh plays for the team, added: 'My nurse Debbie was a fantastic support throughout my pregnancy. She was always there for me and gave me lots of advice and guidance.

'I have biopolar and following the pregnancy I suffered from postnatal depression so I really appreciated her support. I no longer use the service but I'm still in touch with Debbie as she was a big part of my life.'

The Duchess also chatted to senior figures from the project during a roundtable discussion, and was told about the practical help parents receive that puts the academic theory of early years development into practice.

Lynne Reed, the FNP's national head of clinical quality improvement, said of the service: 'It's addressing inequality fundamentally, so that the young women who are here have the best chance, and we would like to think the best chance as a mother-to-be and young mother and young family who had very different life experiences.' 

Before leaving, Kate was handed a beautiful posy of yellow flowers, which she carried with her as she left the centre and stepped out into the sunshine, pictured

Before leaving, Kate was handed a beautiful posy of yellow flowers, which she carried with her as she left the centre and stepped out into the sunshine, pictured

The royal's new hairstyle, which was debuted on Princess Charlotte's first day of school earlier this month, looked sleek and bouncy today.
The Duchess of Cambridge leaving the centre after her visit today

The royal's new hairstyle, which was debuted on Princess Charlotte's first day of school earlier this month, looked sleek and bouncy today. Pictured, the Duchess of Cambridge leaving the centre after her visit today

FNP is delivered in around 70 areas across England and each local team features specially-trained family nurse supervisors, family nurses, and quality support officers.

The duchess is patron of the children's hospital Evelina London, which delivers the initiative in the London borough of Southwark.   

The Duchess of Cambridge's next scheduled engagement is next Thursday, when she will join her husband the Duke of Cambridge for their first joint outing since the summer holiday.

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