With her new commitment, Kate Middleton proves she deserves her title of "Princess of Children" more than ever.
The Princess of Wales co-authored an essay on early childhood and spoke about it at the Future Workforce Summit. This is a subject close to the heart of Prince William's wife, who called on business leaders and academics to invest in the future of young people in the face of the overwhelming presence of technology.
After announcing her cancer diagnosis, and then her remission in January 2025, Kate Middleton gradually resumed her royal duties. Among her priorities: early childhood. She placed this topic at the heart of an essay co-authored with a professor from Harvard University.
A princess who "takes concrete action"
In this essay, the Princess of Wales addressed "one of the greatest social policy issues of our time," namely the amount of time children spend in front of screens. In a speech delivered on November 18 at the Future Workforce Summit, she notably cited the "technological interference" of smartphones and computers, which impairs children's ability to focus.
"Our smartphones, tablets, and computers have become constant sources of distraction, fragmenting our concentration and preventing us from giving others the undivided attention that human relationships require," wrote Kate Middleton, as reported by People magazine.
According to royal expert Bedell Smith, Kate Middleton is "taking concrete action" for children by using the resources of her foundation, the Center for Early Childhood, to fund research that helps identify problems and support parents.
In London, Kate Middleton had the opportunity to speak with numerous business leaders and academics. “What she is achieving by lending her voice to this cause is enormous. Bringing in business leaders who can make a difference is an incredible way to use the platform she has,” said Professor Robert Waldinger, who co-authored the essay with the Princess of Wales.
Some of her long-time collaborators have also praised her advocacy for early childhood, including Eamon McCrory, who heads the Anna Freud mental health charity. “The Princess continues to build a societal narrative around the importance of childhood, relationships, and healthy development,” he told People magazine.
This advocacy and her genuine commitment to the cause add to her other causes close to her heart, such as the fight against cancer. In recent months, Kate Middleton has also been particularly active on this issue. In December, she attended the Ever After Garden event in London, organized by the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, where she left a message in memory of cancer victims.
