Published: 06 January 2012
BY ANDREW JOHNSON

THE mystery of why the Duchess of Cambridge turned up to an Islington school in just a pair of jeans has been solved – she was asked to dress down by the headteacher.

The former Kate Middleton, who has become a fashion icon since her marriage to Prince William last April, was snapped dressed down in just jeans and jumper for her visit to the Robert Blair Primary School in Brewery Road in November.

Children had complained that she “didn’t look like a proper princess” in her at-home garb.

She was paying a private visit to the school to have a look at the Art Room charity, which has a centre at the school. The Art Room uses art therapy to help children with issues such as low self-esteem and Asperger’s syndrome.

Yesterday (Thursday) it was named as one of four charities the duchess has chosen to be patron of.

“At the time she was looking at a number of charities she was thinking of becoming a patron of,” Robert Blair headteacher Mark Miller said.

“She spent a whole session, which is just under two hours, in the class with eight children.

She joined in and helped out.

“We’d said to her beforehand that she should come appropriately dressed so she appeared in jeans.

The children didn’t think that she looked like a princess because of that.”

He added: “It was a fabulous day. We were able to get all the children outside to wave her off.

She was very charming and a natural with the children.

We’re very excited and pleased that she has chosen the Art Room.”