In a wonderfully enjoyable and fun Q&A, the Duchess of Cambridge answered
questions from members of the public about her early years work, 5 Big
Questions and plans for the future. I thought it an excellent means of hearing
Kate speak more candidly in an informal setting and she seemed very much at
ease and excited to discuss the project. Kate began by saying "a huge thank
you" to everyone who participated, noting there was a "huge number" of
questions submitted with "wonderful emojis attached".
Thank you so much to everyone who submitted a question throughout the week
- we've seen such an incredible response, touching on so many different
aspects of the early years.
— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal)
November 28, 2020
The Duchess was asked, "What is the early years? Help." Kate replied, "I
suppose we're looking at it from pregnancy, through to the age of five, so
through to children starting school." When asked what sparked her interest in
early years, she reiterated a point made during her keynote speech from the
Royal Foundation's online forum. "I actually get asked this question a lot. I
think people assume because I am a parent, that's why I've taken an interest
in the Early Years. I think this really is bigger than that. This isn't about
– just about – happy, healthy children; this is about the society I hope we
could and can become."
Kate added, "Right from the early days, meeting lots of people who are
suffering with addiction or poor mental health, and hearing time and time
again that their troubles now in adulthood stem right back from early
childhood experience."
There was a light-hearted moment when Kate was asked about managing tantrums
especially with multiple children. She laughed and said, "That's a hard one.
I'd like to the ask the experts myself," before asking Alice Haynes, deputy
head of early years at the Anna Freud Centre. Alice recommended trying "to put
into words" how a child might be feeling and deal with the situation as calmly
as possible.
'The royal even opened up about her own childhood after being asked:
"What did you like most in your childhood?"
"That's a very good question," started Kate. "I loved spending time
outside and that has stuck with me for my whole life."
The Duchess touched on plans for the future, revealing there's plenty in store
for 2021 with new projects in the pipeline over the coming years. Kate touched
on hopes to bring the project to a global stage, adding "there's amazing work
going on internationally, because ultimately, this is a global issue. It would
be great to see best practice being shared so, yes, I hope so in the future".
Kensington Palace also shared a brief video with an additional insight from
the survey. During the COVID-19 pandemic, support from local communities has
substantially increased for many -- but not for all. The full report expanded
on this noting those living in the most deprived areas felt tailored support
was less accessible.
And lastly, the fifth and final Insight from our
#5BigInsights: During the COVID pandemic, support from local communities has
substantially increased for many - but not for all.
pic.twitter.com/uvTsbpR8nA
— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal)
November 28, 2020
The Duchess wore the Gucci blouse she debuted in January 2019 for a
visit to Henry Fawcett Children’s Centre to learn more about the work
being done by local organisations in Lambeth to support young children and
their families. On the day, Kate teamed it with
Jigsaw
trousers, her
Aspinal of London Midi Mayfair bag
and
Gianvito Rossi Piper pumps.
Gucci's 'violet orchid' Pussy Bow Silk Crepe Blouse
is designed in a beautiful purple hue that is so fresh for the season -
especially if you tend to wear darker colors. Cut from fluid silk-crepe, this
style has a loose silhouette and features fabric-covered buttons that run down
the back.
We've seen an array of videos, updates and a passionate speech by the Duchess
of Cambridge as she unveiled the findings of her landmark early years
survey, 5 Big Questions. During an online forum hosted by the Royal Foundation and Ipsos MORI, the
marketing company who conducted the study, the Duchess revealed, "People often
ask why I care so passionately about the early years. Many mistakenly believe
that my interest stems from having children of my own. While of course I care
hugely about their start in life, this ultimately sells the issue short.
Parenthood isn't a prerequisite for understanding the importance of the early
years. If we only expect people to take an interest in the early years when
they have children, we are not only too late for them, we are underestimating
the huge role others can play in shaping our most formative years too."
During the speech, which was reportedly pre-recorded earlier this week, Kate
touched on the past decade and those she has met along the way. "Over the last
decade I have met people from all walks of life. I have seen that experiences
such as homelessness, addiction and poor mental health are often grounded in a
difficult childhood. But I have also seen how positive protective factors in
the early years can play a crucial role in shaping our futures. The early
years are not simply about how we raise our children. They are in fact about
how we raise the next generation of adults. They are about the society we will
become." Kate notes early years work isn't about "the quick win" but "the big
win".
Kate continued to note the economic impact in the UK of late intervention. "I
care hugely about this because the science shows that the early years are more
pivotal for future health and happiness than any other period in our lifetime.
As many as 40% of our children will arrive at school with below the expected
levels of development; and because the social cost of late intervention has
been estimated to be over £17 billion a year." Kate touched on plans for the
future, adding, "We must do all we can to tackle these issues and to elevate
the importance of the early years, so that together we can build a more
nurturing society. I believe, the early years should be on par with the other
great social challenges and opportunities of our time. And next year, we will
announce ambitious plans to support this objective."
The Royal Foundation shared additional information on today's
forum: 'This afternoon’s online forum is being hosted by Dr Xand Van
Tulleken (Associate Professor of Public Health at University College London)
and features a presentation from Ipsos MORI’s Managing Director of Public
Affairs, Kelly Beaver. Dr Trudi Seneviratne (Registrar, Royal College of
Psychiatrists, Adult & Perinatal Psychiatrist & Clinical Director),
Jon Rouse (City Director, Stoke-on-Trent City Council) and Dr Guddi Singh
(Paediatric Doctor, Evelina Children’s Hospital, Guy’s & St.Thomas’)
taking part in a panel discussion on the findings of the research.' You can
listen to the conversation below. It's a fascinating discussion.
There were 527,898 responses to the ‘5 Big Questions on the Under-Fives’
globally and 435,141 responses in the UK. Kensington Palace described the
results as "a milestone moment" in Kate's early years work, telling royal
reporters people would see the Duchess "in a new light" following today's
speech. I was very interested to see the results and the impact of the
pandemic on loneliness and isolation. The survey found the "increase in
loneliness for parents is more apparent in the most deprived areas. These
parents are more than twice as likely as those living in the least deprived
areas to say they feel lonely often or always (13% compared with 5%).
Compounding this, it seems there has been a rise in the proportion of parents
who feel uncomfortable seeking help for how they are feeling from 18% before
the pandemic to 34% during it".
Insight 4: Parental loneliness has dramatically increased during the
pandemic — from 38% before to 63% — as parents have been cut off from
friends and family.
#5BigInsightspic.twitter.com/S0BmMf3NbY
— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal)
November 27, 2020
The survey revealed 70% of parents feel judged by others and, among these
parents, nearly half feel this negatively impacts their mental health.
This is just the start of the conversation - & in continuing it,
Insight 3 from the
#5BigQuestions:
Feeling judged by others can make a bad situation worse.
70%
of parents feel judged by others & among these parents, nearly half
feel this negatively impacts their mental health.
pic.twitter.com/PMnQkmkfua
— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal)
November 27, 2020
90% of people see parental mental health and wellbeing as being critical to a
child’s development, however only 10% of parents mentioned prioritising time
to look after their own wellbeing when asked how they had prepared for the
arrival of their baby.
Insight 2: 90% of people see parental mental health and wellbeing as being
critical to a child’s development.
However, only 10% of parents
mentioned taking the time to look after their own wellbeing when asked how
they had prepared for the arrival of their baby
#5BigInsightspic.twitter.com/r0hOEbtnPp
— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal)
November 27, 2020
98% of those surveyed said that that nurture is essential to lifelong
outcomes, but only one in four recognise the specific importance of the first
five years of a child’s life.
98% of you said that that nurture is essential to lifelong
outcomes. But, just one in four recognise the specific importance of the
first five years of a child’s life.
pic.twitter.com/bbVxtQzHL4
— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal)
November 26, 2020
'Eamon McCrory, a professor of developmental neuroscience and
psychopathology at University College London who joined Kate's steering
group on this topic in 2018, has seen her experience and expertise blossom
over that time.
"She is working with homelessness and mental health and with parents and
perinatal care — she sees all aspects of the system," he tells PEOPLE.
"She’s talking to neuroscientists and is interested in understanding what
it means for parents or what does it mean if we are interested in tackling
mental health. She is really interested in putting the pieces together and
having a cohesive response.”
“She has genuine curiosity and a real respect and understanding of the
science," McCrory says. "It’s really impressive.”
A case study from the Royal Foundation's report on a mother's personal
experience.
Parents were asked how they prepared when expecting baby. As noted earlier,
only 10% were focused on their own wellbeing.
There was also information on trusted sources of information for parents with
57% turning to their own parents primarily for advice.
Click here
to read the report in full.
It's been quite the journey from the project's inception to today's findings. In
September 2018, Rebecca English exclusively reported the Duchess was
working a new project to help children failed by "broken Britain". "Among the
issues Kate is exploring is how to support vulnerable families from the earliest
possible stage in order to get their children ‘school-ready’ and able to cope
with their mental and emotional needs. She and her expert advisers will also
look at how to introduce better mental health support for primary school
children, and at teaching parenting and relationship skills to teenagers before
they even think of starting a family themselves."
In January, it was revealed Kate's project was an early years survey called 5
Big Questions. On a mini tour of the UK, the Duchess visited
Cardiff, Birmingham, Woking, London, Belfast and Aberdeen and spoke to
people about their experiences and opinions of the earliest years of children’s
lives.
To mark the launch, Kate said, "Parents, carers and families are at the
heart of caring for children in the formative years, so that is why I want
to listen to them. As a parent I know how much we cherish the future health
and happiness of our children. The Early Years are more crucial for future
health and happiness than any other moment in our lifetime. I want to hear
the key issues affecting our families and communities so I can focus my work
on where it is needed most."
A refresher of the questions asked:
Question 1:
What do you believe is most important for children growing up in the UK
today to live a happy adult life? Rank from most important to least
important.
• Good physical and mental health
• Good friendships and relationships
• Access to opportunities
• Access to a good education
Question 2:
Which of these statements is closest to your opinion?
• It is primarily the responsibility of parents to give children aged
0-5 the best chance of health and happiness
• It is primarily the responsibility of others in society to give
children aged 0-5 the best chance of health and happiness
• It is the shared responsibility of parents and others in society to
give children aged 0-5 the best chance of health and happiness
• Don’t know
Question 3:
How much do you agree or disagree with this statement: the mental
health and wellbeing of parents and carers has a great impact on the
development of their child(ren)?
• Strongly agree
• Tend to agree
• Neither agree nor disagree
• Tend to disagree
• Strongly disagree
Question 4:
Which of the following is closest to your opinion of what influences
how children develop from the start of pregnancy to age 5?
• Mostly the traits a child is born with (i.e. nature)
• Mostly the experiences of a child in the early years (i.e.
nurture)
• Both nature and nurture equally
• Don’t know
Question 5:
Which period of a child and young person’s life do you think is the
most important for health and happiness in adulthood?
• Start of pregnancy to 5 years
• 5-11 years (primary school)
• 11-16 years (secondary school)
• 16-18 years (further education)
• 18-24 years (young adulthood)
• Don’t know
• All equally important
Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your views on
the early years of childhood?
A poignant video from the Royal Foundation on the effort - Big Change
Starts Small.
Additionally, Kensington Palace asked followers to submit questions for
the Duchess to answer on their Instagram account. I expect we'll hear
more on this over the weekend.
The early years are not simply about how we raise our children. They
are in fact about how we raise the next generation of adults. They are
about the society we will become. - The Duchess of Cambridge
Next, the several looks we saw Kate wear today. For her speech, the
Duchess wore her dark rose
Marks & Spencer
suit.
The £99 Wool Blend Double Breasted Blazer is described: "Tailored fit
with added stretch for a figure-defining silhouette. Italian wool-blend
fabric creates a luxuriously smooth drape. Contrast button fastening."
The matching £59 Wool Blend Cropped Trousers feature a zip, hook and bar
fastening, front pintucks and two functional side pockets. The suit has
been sold out for some time.
In another video shared by the Duchess, we saw a glimpse of Kate's
Equipment Slim Signature Polka Dot Shirt. The piece is reduced from $280 to $230 at Nordstrom presently.
We also saw Kate wearing a Barbour jacket and cream sweater.
The sold-out jacket is from
Barbour's collaboration with Alexa Chung (with thanks to Middleton Maven) Described as, "Made in
England from glossy waxed-cotton, this 'Edith' jacket is detailed with all
the signature details including multiple pockets, a soft corduroy collar
and classic checked lining."
