Guru: Why Kate is just perfect for this key role

THE Duchess of Cambridge’s work in early intervention is ‘the most important thing anyone could be doing’, one of her senior advisers has said.

Professor Peter Fonagy, pictured, started working closely with Kate soon after the birth of her daughter Princess Charlotte in 2015 and is a member of her new steering group.

He said: ‘She came with a very deep interest even then about childhood and the influence of childhood on later development and she was surprisingly well informed about it. She was clearly on a journey of learning but had a good understanding of the importance of early development on the rest of life.’

The heavyweights on the committee convened by Kate show the seriousness with which she is approaching the issue.

Professor Fonagy said there are few greater issues facing the country today. ‘[She] could affect the future of an entire generation with her work,’ he added.

The academic is head of the division of psychology and language sciences at University College London. He is also chief executive of the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, which provides clinical support, particularly for under-fives, and undertakes its own research.

Hungarian-born Professor Fonagy, 65, speaks from personal experience, having been treated by the centre as an adolescent for depression.

He said the steering group hopes to come up with a clear plan of how organisations can support parents through pregnancy and beyond.

Even encouraging families simply to sit down for a meal together and discuss their day can have a significant impact, he added.

‘What we have come to understand is just how important the early years can be in influencing the choices people make in life,’ he said. ‘The duchess can be such an incredibly important advocate for this issue.

‘She has a remarkable position to raise awareness about the importance of early years. I cannot think of anything more important that a person could do in her capacity.’