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Kate Middleton has been praised for her "understanding of the arts" as she embarked on her third solo trip as a fully-fledged royal to visit one of her charities.

The Duchess of Cambridge, who became patron of The Art Room this year, visited Rose Hill primary school on the outskirts of Oxford, to see the work of the charity which uses art therapy to help children with behavioural problems.

Dressed in a stylish £162 "birdie" jacquard dresscoat by London-based Irish designer Orla Kiely and brown suede ankle boots, she was greeted by dozens of cheering children waving Union Jack flags on her arrival.

During her trip, the duchess was given the opportunity to see just how much of an impact The Art Room makes in the lives of youngsters with issues such as low self-esteem and Asperger's syndrome.

She also met and chatted to some of the young children and the staff that work at the special school as well as Mark Thompson, director-general of the BBC and a trustee of The Art Room.

At the end of her visit, two of the school children gifted the duchess with an apron emblazoned with "Miss Catherine", some dog treats for her new pet, a male cocker spaniel, and a bouquet of cream-coloured roses.