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The Duchess of Cambridge was back to her stylish best for a school visit today - just 24 hours after she donned her trainers for a marathon training session.

The 35-year-old was joined by her husband Prince William as she visited Mitchell Brook Primary School in Neasden, north London, in her role as patron of the children's charity Place2Be.

The royals looked in good spirits as they greeted flag-waving children and staff before making their way inside for 'The Big Assembly', an event being held at schools across the country to mark Children's Mental Health Week.

Kate looked elegant in a favourite red suit by Italian designer Luisa Spagnoli, which was a marked change from the trainers and red puffy jacket she wore yesterday.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were back to their elegant best as they arrived at a school in north London this morning for an event to mark Children's Mental Health Week

The Duchess of Cambridge greeted excited schoolchildren and staff outside the school

Yesterday the couple donned their trainers as they joined a session for marathon runners

The event today is part of the Heads Together campaign, formed by William, Kate and Harry, to erase the nationwide stigma around mental health. 

The couple sat in on an assembly given by the school children before presenting the first Place2Be 'Kindness Cup' to the pupil who has shown exceptional kindness in their school community and beyond.

Kate also gave a warm speech in which she spoke about how kindness was as important as excelling as as maths and sport. 

She also talked movingly about family and how important her own was to her.

She said: 'People often ask me why I am so interested in the mental health of children and young people. The answer is quite simple - it is because I think that every child should have the best possible start in life.

'When I was growing up I was very lucky. My family was the most important thing to me. They provided me with somewhere safe to grow and learn, and I know I was fortunate not to have been confronted by serious adversity at a young age.'

'For some children, maybe there are some here today; I know that life can sometimes feel difficult and full of challenges. I think that every child should have people around them to show them love, and to show them kindness, and nurture them as they grow. This is what Place2Be is doing so amazingly here in your school.' 

Kate Middleton smiled as she received a bouquet of flowers outside the school this morning

Showing his paternal side, Prince William knelt down to help a youngster put on his glove

The slim-fitting skirt red suit showed off the Duchess of Cambridge's toned legs

The couple looked in good spirits as they arrived at the school for the 'Big Assembly' event

The royal couple bent down to make sure they could speak to the young well-wishers

'Recently I met an 11 year-old girl who was helped by Place2Be. She told me that if you keep your feelings inside, you can feel as though you will blow up like a balloon. But, by talking to someone about them, it can make you feel so much better.'  

The Duchess also stressed how much she wanted to hand down the values she had been taught by her parents to her own children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

She said: 'My parents taught me about the importance of qualities like kindness, respect, and honesty, and I realise how central, values like these have been to me throughout my life. That is why William and I want to teach our little children, George and Charlotte just how important these things are as they grow up.

'In my view it is just as important as excelling at maths or sport.' 

Pupils at the primary school looked excited as they waited for William and Kate to arrive

The Duchess of Cambridge wore her hair swept across in a side parting for the occasion

Kate spoke about how 'lucky' she was to be brought up by caring and loving parents

Pupils will act out role plays about being kind, and the school choir will also perform.

The royal couple sat on the bench which was placed on a stage in the school hall and watched the assembly that celebrated kindness. 

Deputy headmistress Nicola Harmer said: 'We've launched through a series of assemblies different people who have the K factor, the kindness factor, and then we've discussed with the children how they can have it. 

'Whether it's helping a friend out who feels a bit lonely on the day and supporting them, and we've also talked to the children about being kind to ourselves, that's around the negative talk we may have of putting ourselves down.' 

Children's Mental Health Week 2017 focuses on kindness and its benefits for wellbeing. 

The royal couple, pictured, attended an assembly centred around the theme of kindness

The Duchess of Cambridge looked radiant as she smiled on the sunny winter's morning

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are both passionate about children's mental health

Kate spent time speaking the the young children, who were waving flags and banners

Place2Be is a leading UK children's mental health charity providing in-school support and expert training to improve the emotional wellbeing of pupils, families, teachers and school staff.

The charity works directly with more than 282 primary and secondary schools across Wales, Scotland and England, reaching a school population of over 116,000 pupils.

It is one of the eight Charity Partners of the Heads Together campaign, to change the national conversation on mental health and make the 2017 London Marathon the mental health marathon.

The Duchess of Cambridge has been Patron of Place2Be since 2013, reflecting her interest in child mental health and the importance of early intervention to provide children with in-school mental health services at the earliest stage possible. 

HAVE WE SEEN THIS SUIT BEFORE?

The Duchess of Cambridge opted for one of her favourite suits for today's engagement - a vibrant red suit by Italian designer Luisa Spagnoli.

The two-piece, which features a peplum jacket and knee length pencil skirt, has been worn by the Duchess on a number of occasions.

The 35-year-old royal wore the suit when she and Prince William returned to St Andrews University, where the couple met, in 2011. 

And she made sure to pack the outfit as she set off for the royal tour of New Zealand with Prince William in 2014. 

The Duchess of Cambridge wore the same suit in New Zealand in 2014, left, and on a visit to St Andrews University with Prince William in 2011, right