Young royals set aid mission example

They are worth a thousand press handouts and demonstrating exactly what influential young royals should be doing, writes Shirley Tart.

They are so easy to criticise, yet so able to make an impact, to help change things, to highlight the world's humanitarian horror stories.

And speaking out as they have about the African crisis, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will have done a great service in focussing the world once again on "the terrible East Africa crisis" referred to by the Duchess as she made her first joint mercy mission with her husband.

William and Catherine were touring the UNICEF emergency supply centre in Copenhagen to see how the charity helped distribute food and life-saving medical supplies to the area where children starve and death stalks daily and all too soon.

The young couple also helped pack some of the aid boxes ready for dispatch and what an inspired move for in Denmark's Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary to join them.

It was a powerful message spelled out by four young royals, followed through with a trip to see off a British Airways jet loaned to UNICEF, as it headed to East Africa laden with its vital, but sadly short lived, supplies.

Eastern Africa will be especially close to William and Catherine's hearts. It was here during a holiday just a year ago when William took his girl to what he called a quiet spot and proposed to her.

During this week's visit to the emergency supply centre, the duchess was visibly moved when she said: "We really hope to put the spotlight back on this terrible crisis, and we need to try and raise the awareness. I was shocked by some of the statistics and I think other people would be if they'd lost track of the story."

The couple paid close attention to their briefing on the aid mission and William gave the thumbs-up when he was given a taste of the special, high-protein peanut paste which is sent in this desperate race to keep children alive.

Some will say the prince and his wife are following in his mother's footsteps.

In fact, they are forging their own way and making their own contribution in their time.

And bringing to global attention again those who need our help most.