Duchess of Cambridge launches new initiative to highlight vital early years

THE Duchess of Cambridge has launched her own Centre for Early Childhood in a landmark step aimed at signalling her lifetime commitment to transforming society.

The development will shape Kate’s future focus as a senior royal and the centre will drive her vision to create a “happier, healthier, more nurturing world”, an aide said.

Kate is said to see the issue as the social equivalent to global climate change but is concerned that it is not being treated seriously enough.

The duchess – a future Queen – is understood to feel a responsibility to take on a societal leadership role to raise awareness and create action.

A royal aide said: “The duchess has made the observation that the more you learn about the science of early childhood, whether it’s brain development, social science, what it means for our adult mental health, the more you realise that this is the social equivalent to climate change.

“But it is not discussed with the same seriousness or strategic intent that that issue is.”

In a video to mark the launch, Kate, wearing a necklace engraved with her children’s initials, said of her crusade: “Working closely with others, the centre hopes to raise awareness of why the first five years of life are just so important for our future life outcomes, and what we can do as a society to embrace this golden opportunity to create a happier, more mentally healthy, more nurturing society.

“By working together, my hope is that we can change the way we think about early childhood, and transform lives for generations to come.

“Because I truly believe big change starts small.”

The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood stems from research which shows the first five years of childhood fundamentally shape adulthood, with social challenges such as addiction, violence, family breakdown, homelessness and mental health having their roots in the earliest years of life.