Princess of Wales in Leeds: First pictures as Kate arrives at Kirkgate Market on visit to city

The Princess of Wales is discussing experiences of early childhood, as part of her ‘Shaping Us’ campaign.

The campaign has already had support from a range of high-profile figures and will begin with the release of a short film highlighting how babies and children develop in response to their earliest experiences.

Mason Hicks, Leeds Children’s Mayor, has arrived at Kirkgate Market to meet the Princess of Wales. He is joined by the Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Robert Gettings, and the council’s Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Economy, Culture and Education, Jonathan Pryor.

Kate Middleton is bringing her ‘Shaping Us’ campaign to the heart of the community, meeting vendors and members of the public to discuss early childhood.

The Princess of Wales has arrived at Kirkgate Market, greeted by a large crowd.

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Word is getting around the market and crowds are starting to gather in the food hall, where a they’ll be showing a short video about the Shaping Us campaign.

Our reporter Charles Gray is at Kirkgate Market where a number of police are in position ahead of the arrival of the Princess of Wales.

It’s now been confirmed that the first stop on the visit to Leeds will be Kirkgate Market. Kate will briefly tour the market, where she will meet vendors including some who have been working there for more than 30 years.

Her Royal Highness will then join a discussion with vendors and local people about their experiences of early childhood, their reflections on the Shaping Us film and what it might mean to them.

Today’s visit follows on from the tour of Yorkshire undertaken by King Charles in November. It included a visit to Leeds – his first since ascending to the throne.

His Majesty unveiled a special plaque at Leeds Central Library to mark the 10th anniversary of the Child Friendly Leeds initiative, which for the past decade has worked to make Leeds the best city to grow up in.

As well as having the opportunity to explore the library, The King also visited Rebellion to Romance, an exhibition at the library by The Jamaica Society Leeds which explores the lives of second-generation West Indians in Leeds coming of age in the 1970s and 80s.

Princess Kate will be visiting to raise awareness of the importance of a child’s first few years of life as part of a campaign called ‘Shaping Us’. Among the backers of the campaign are TV presenter Fearne Cotton and rapper Professor Green.