Kate Middleton channels Princess Diana with tender gesture during visit to the National Portrait Gallery - and even mimics her style

The Princess of Wales yesterday visited the National Portrait Gallery in London Kate Middleton directly channeled Princess Diana yesterday with her tender display towards a little girl during a visit to London's National Portrait Gallery. The display directly mirrored an outing by her late mother-in-law Diana as she attended the Heart Of Britain launch at Harrods on October 15, 1996 The two royals had even been wearing similar outfits for the events, both opting for a brown blazer and gold jewellery Kate sweetly rested her hand on one child's head, while Diana played with the hair of seven-year-old Danielle Stephenson Like Kate, 'people's princess' Diana showed her love of children, stroking the hair of seven-year-old Danielle Stephenson, whose life had been saved by pioneering surgeons Diana then helped the children get into place as they were called for a group photograph On Tuesday, the Princess of Wales arrived at the National Portrait Gallery in central London hand-in-hand with a five-year-old girl after riding next to her on the bus. She held the hand of one excited little girl and smiled at well-wishers as she walked into the gallery The Princess was also on hand to speak to staff - both from the art gallery and the school The Princess looked back to herself in full glamour as she headed into the gallery As well as spending time with the children, Kate was sure to greet well-wishers The royal nailed sophiscated chic in pinstripe trousers and a roll neck jumper The Princess of Wales leaving the National Portrait Gallery, London, after launching a new project from The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood Kate looked delighted to be back at work today as she beamed at wellwishers in central London The school children will be the first pupils to take part in The Bobeam Tree Trail, which will see them journey through the gallery using portraits as the basis for a range of activities that enable them to use and develop different social and emotional skills Kate looked delighted as she walked hand-in-hand with a pupil into the gallery Kate looked typically chic in heels and a suit Other galleries and museums, from Plymouth to Sheffield, will also be taking part in the initiative. Once inside, Kate sat down with pupils to help with their self-portraits Kate beamed as she chatted to the little ones from a local school The Princess joined the children to kick off a new initiative from The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, focused on helping young children develop essential social and emotional skills The Princess was in her element among school children at the National Portrait Gallery Kate wore her hair in her signature loose curls as she headed into the gallery Kensington Palace released an adorable photograph of the princess ahead of World Cancer Day on Tuesday, taken by her youngest child, Prince Louis Kate appears to be passing the reins down to her children, as her youngest child Prince Louis turned royal photographer.