Photos - Kate Middleton in high spirits as she opens a new school for excluded children in London

The Duchess of Cambridge returned to public duties today following the Easter break as she opened a new school for excluded children.

Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton, appeared in excellent spirits as she arrived at the Pears Family School, part of the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families' new north London headquarters.

The 37-year-old royal looked elegant in a custom forest green Emilia Wickstead dress, £495 Mulberry bag and £566 Gianvito Rossi heels for the outing. She finished the look with diamond and opal earrings by Kiki McDonough.

Mother-of-three seemed to be in great spirits, and was seen throwing her head back and laughing after fellow speaker Amy Herring, an advocate for the centre, appeared to wish the Duchess 'good luck' ahead of her speech.

While Kate joined her brother-in-law Prince Harry at the Anzac Day service at Westminster Abbey, today marks her first outing to one of her charitable causes since taking time off over Easter.

During the visit, the Duchess was left moved by a young boy who rapped a poem to her about losing his mother at the age of nine and going off the rails. More photos below: