The Duchess of Cambridge has become a patron of the Anna Freud Centre, following her regular visits to its Islington site.

In September, following the birth of Princess Charlotte, Catherine resumed her royal duties at the mental health charity’s Rodney Street centre of excellence.

The Duchess, a staunch mental health campaigner, was back three months later for its Christmas party.

Peter Fonagy, chief executive of the Anna Freud Centre, said: “I’m particularly proud because I have come to recognise just how knowledgeable she is in relation to what is a complex and difficult issue that so few people genuinely understand.

The charity is also planning to build another centre of excellence in King’s Cross to integrate its research activities.