Duchess Kate hosts special reception for one of her patronages at Buckingham Palace

Duchess Kate hosted a special gala dinner reception at Buckingham Palace for her longtime patronage Place2Be on March 9.
The organization works to improve children's mental health at schools, and the Duchess of Cambridge has partnered with them many times with The Royal Foundation, Heads Together, Mentally Healthy Schools and the Shout text messaging service.
Plenty of youngsters attended the event, and they all looked thrilled to be there. They even got to hear Kate give a speech about why Place2Be is so important!
Scroll through the gallery (or click through if you're on desktop) to see the best photos from the evening!
Photo: © Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Kate looked gorgeous in her secnod look of the day, stepping out in a navy, beaded Jenny Packham gown with silver Jimmy Choo heels and a matching clutch.
Earlier in the day, she wore a crimson Catherine Walker coat dress with a Sally-Ann Provan floral hat at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey.
Photo: © Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images

The duchess was very pleased to see all the youngsters representing Place2Be at the event!
Photo: © Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Everyone posed for a group picture as the event kicked off! Kate adorably matched the youngsters' uniforms.
Photo: © Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Two choirs performed at the reception, which must have made the evening even more special!
Photo: © Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images
![Kate also gave a speech at the reception. She spoke about everything she's done with Place2Be since 2013, saying it was special to her.
<p>"[It is] a charity that I feel hugely privileged to work with, and I am so passionate about the support it provides and the impact it has on children, families and communities," she said.
<p>Photo: © Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images](/images/stories/0/2020/03/09/000/765/322/gallery_5_3.jpg)
Kate also gave a speech at the reception. She spoke about everything she's done with Place2Be since 2013, saying it was special to her.
"[It is] a charity that I feel hugely privileged to work with, and I am so passionate about the support it provides and the impact it has on children, families and communities," she said.
Photo: © Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images