'Your efforts have been crucial at a time of overwhelming grief and sadness': Duchess of Cambridge praises charity workers who support victims of the Grenfell tragedy - as she comforts mothers and hands out Christmas presents to survivors

Duchess is visiting the Rugby Portobello Trust at its community centre in North Kensington
Centre staff have been pivotal in supporting people affected by the Grenfell inferno
Duchess will join a Christmas party for the Magic Mums group
Will also help staff to set up for the children's Christmas party later today

By Rebecca English Royal Correspondent For The Daily Mail and Siofra Brennan For Mailonline

Published: 13:18 GMT, 12 December 2017 | Updated: 10:54 GMT, 13 December 2017

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The Duchess of Cambridge has heard the stories of mothers caught up in the Grenfell Tower blaze when she visited a centre supporting the local community.

Kate had a private informal meeting with a group of young women who have been helped by the Rugby Portobello Trust at its community centre in North Kensington.

She even played Father Christmas, helping to hand out presents to children whose parents attend the Magic Mums group, many of whom were affected by the Grenfell inferno which claimed 71 lives, including that of a stillborn baby, and left hundreds homeless.

The trust has been a key institution for survivors of the blaze, helping to distribute much-needed donated funds to families who lost everything in the fire.

The Duchess, who wore a coat by Seraphine, sympathised with the plight of the community and praised the work of the trust, telling a group of youngsters in a music therapy workshop: 'It's amazing for all of you to have this support, particularly at such a difficult, such a tragic time.'

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The Duchess of Cambridge joins children and families to celebrate the work of the Rugby Portobello Trust at its community centre in North Kensington

Santa's helper! The Duchess hands out presents during her visit to the Magic Mums group

Kate looked in great spirits as she met mothers and children and helped to give out Christmas presents. Many of the families she met today were affected by the Grenfell Tower tragedy

The Duchess received a bouquet of flowers from seven-year-old Ailise Taylor during the visit

Recycling royal: Kate bundled up against the cold today in a purple coat from Seraphine. The Duchess wore the same coat back in December 2014 during an official visit to New York while pregnant with Princess Charlotte

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The Duchess of Cambridge stepped out today to the Rugby Portobello Trust Christmas party looking her usual stylish self in a burgundy coat by maternity-wear specialists, Seraphine.

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Kate is introduced to staff at the beginning of her visit to the Rugby Portobello Trust in London, which supports people in the local community particularly mothers and children

The Duchess was on hand to help out with a Christmas party for the Magic Mums group, many of whom were effected by the Grenfell Tower tragedy

During the hour-long visit, Kate also met privately with families who had loved-ones in the fire that struck in June this year.

And she presented a letter from herself, William and Harry, which praised the community for working 'tirelessly' in 'the aftermath of the terrible tragedy at Grenfell Tower'.

It added: 'Every member of your team - from cooks to youth workers, fundraisers to teachers and army of volunteers - has dedicated themselves to supporting the community.'

The letter, which was in a frame, ended: 'We know how crucial your efforts have been at a time of overwhelming grief and sadness.'

The Duchess was all smiles as she helped youngsters set up a Christmas party for children

One of the young people the Duchess met during the visit was seven-year-old Yahya Hussein Ali who was affected by the Grenfell tragedy

The Duchess made time to chat to youngsters as they all set up a Christmas party together

One of the community centres closest to the blaze, Rugby Portobello Trust has spend most of the last six months focussing in helping the community recover from the tragedy.

Leone Buncombe, from Kensington, who works on the centre's new homes team, said: 'It's really just nice to have that appreciation.

'Obviously we've been working hard because it's just the right thing to do. 'We're part of the community so we're making sure that we're staying and helping those that need the support.'

She added: 'She was reiterating the face that, from everyone she spoke to, the concept that she really got across from everyone was about family.

'When people walk through the doors, regardless of their situation, it's about making sure they feel they are part of something. And however we can help them.'

Is that for me? A youngster looked delighted to be receiving a present from the royal visitor

The Duchess doled out Christmas presents to children before helping to set up for a party that's being held later today

Team effort! The Duchess gets a helping hand from a youngster as she lays the table for a Christmas party

The Duchess was joined by a group of young helpers as they laid the table ahead of a Christmas party for children

The Duchess arrived at the centre where she presented volunteers with a letter of thanks from herself, William and Prince Harry

The Duchess presented a letter which detailed how she, William and Harry had been impressed by the efforts of the local community and volunteers in supporting victims of the Grenfell tragedy

Lending a helping hand: Kate took on the task of putting out the Christmas crackers ahead of a children's party

The Duchess of Cambridge joined staff and families to celebrate the work of the Rugby Portobello Trust in North Kensington

Kate looked in her element as she doled out presents to children and met young people taking part in a music therapy workshop

The Duchess of Cambridge speaks to Yahya Hussein Ali, seven, and Dawud Wahabi, 10, children affected by the Grenfell Tower fire, and seven-year-old Ailise Taylor

Ailise Taylor was eager to smell the flowers she had just presented to the Duchess

Leone's team has supported families by helping them access grants and new homes provided by the council.

Presenting the letter, Kate said: 'This is just really to pass on huge congratulations to everyone for all the hard work that goes on here by everybody - obviously there must be a huge amount that you do in the community.

'(I've) just (been) speaking to everyone here today, hearing some of the stories and hearing how the community centre here really benefits everybody on so many levels.

'So well done to each and everyone of you - this comes from all three of us, congratulations to you all.'

The Duchess, 35,also helped children set the table for a Christmas party later in the day and looked in on a music session and spoke to Reece Yeboah, 23, from Kensington, who knew people affected by the fire.

Kate said to him: 'Did you see it effect everyone, your family, your community?'

She added about the tower block: 'It's still such a physical presence as well.'

A youngster looked eager to rip off the wrapping paper after being presented with a gift by the Duchess of Cambridge

The Duchess was in great spirits as she helped children to get ready for a special party being held later today

Kate also met with young people taking part in a music workshop and praised the support that the project offers during difficult times

Reece, who was writing a poem, said afterwards: 'It was a good experience. I think we need more of people like that coming through to help the community and keep spirits strong.'

He added: 'I was saying to her with the fire I feel like it's affected everyone. People are still coping with it now.

'We are some way getting on with it a little bit but things like this do help our spirit. It shows that someone does care.

'It lifts our spirit and makes us feel that we're not abandoned.'

The Rugby Portobello Trust offers support services for young people, families and others and is part of a network of centres that run programmes for children and parents such as homework clubs, sporting activities, social groups and tuition.

The Duchess received a bouquet to welcome her to the centre from seven-year-old Ailise Taylor

The Duchess of Cambridge speaks to Yahya Hussein Ali, seven, and Dawud Wahabi 10, children affected by the Grenfell Tower fire

The Trust and the centre staff in Kensington have also been pivotal in supporting people affected by the Grenfell inferno which claimed 71 lives, including that of a stillborn baby, and left hundreds homeless.

The organisation established a new homes team to provide practical support to residents in relation to their new accommodation, and has played an important role in helping them access grants that became available, both through the local authority and from private donations.

Kate is well and truly back in the swing of royal duties after battling hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of morning sickness, during her early pregnancy.

Kensington Palace was forced to announce the news of Kate's third pregnancy before she'd passed the crucial 12- week mark when illness meant she had to cancel an official engagement.

In a short statement, the royals' office Kensington Palace said the baby, who will be fifth-in-line to the British throne, was due in April - but the exact date of the baby's expected arrival was not disclosed.

Kate was kept busy laying out crackers and paper plates ahead of a children's Christmas party later today

The Duchess chats to participants during a visit to a music workshop where she learned how music therapy is being used to support those who were affected by the Grenfell Tower tragedy

The Duchess looked elegant in a recycled purple coat from maternity brand Seraphine and carried a small black clutch bag

Duchess of Cambridge attends the 'Magic Mums' community Christmas party held at Rugby Portobello Trust. The Duchess is well and truly back in the swing of royal duties after battling severe morning sickness in the early stages of her pregnancy