The Princess of Wales
Catherine Elizabeth Middleton, known as the Princess of Wales, wed Prince William, the Prince of Wales, on April 29, 2011, at Westminster Abbey. They are parents to three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. The family resides at Kensington Palace. In addition to performing royal responsibilities both domestically and internationally in support of The King, the Princess of Wales is dedicated to various charitable endeavors, particularly those aimed at giving children a strong foundation for their future.
About The Princess of Wales
Early Childhood Support
Over the past decade, the Princess of Wales has observed that many of today’s most pressing social issues originate in early childhood. She is dedicated to highlighting the significance of early life experiences and promoting collaborative efforts to enhance societal outcomes.
In March 2018, the Princess of Wales assembled a steering group to explore ways to create lasting improvements in children’s lives by concentrating on their earliest stages, from pre-birth to age five. The recommendations from this group have shaped The Royal Foundation’s strategy for advancing her efforts in this area for the future.
In January 2020, the Princess of Wales initiated the ‘5 Big Questions on the Under Fives’ survey, designed to ignite a national discussion on early childhood. The survey results were revealed later that year, accompanied by comprehensive qualitative and ethnographic research conducted by Ipsos MORI.
In June 2021, the Princess of Wales demonstrated her commitment to early childhood development by launching The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood. This initiative aims to raise awareness and promote action on the profound impact of early years, with the goal of transforming society for future generations.
In February 2022, the Princess of Wales visited Denmark to study their approach to early childhood development. The visit aimed to explore how The Centre for Early Childhood could incorporate insights from Denmark’s exemplary work in this field.
“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 critical role in shaping our futures too.”
– The Princess of Wales
Most recently, in 2023, the Princess of Wales and The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood launched the ‘Shaping Us’ campaign. This initiative aims to enhance public understanding of the critical importance of a child’s first five years.
Children’s Mental Health
As part of her dedication to early childhood development, the Princess of Wales is a passionate advocate for children’s mental health and emotional wellbeing. She has worked to raise public awareness about the lasting and traumatic impacts of issues such as addiction, poverty, abuse, neglect, and the loss or illness of family members if left unaddressed. Additionally, academic research has definitively shown that early childhood trauma can affect mental health well into adulthood, resulting in significant costs to individuals, families, society, and the economy.
In particular, the Princess of Wales has emphasized the need for open and honest discussions about mental health to combat stigma. She also stresses the importance of early intervention in mental health support for young people, addressing issues at the earliest possible stage to ensure children have the brightest futures.
In October 2023, the Prince and Princess of Wales, alongside The Royal Foundation, hosted a forum for young people called “Exploring Our Emotional Worlds.” This event gathered 100 young delegates, nominated by ten leading mental health and youth engagement charities, to discuss managing emotions and building resilience. The forum aimed to support young people in developing protective factors, such as healthy relationships, to help them navigate life’s challenges.
Heads Together
In 2017, the Princess of Wales, alongside the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Sussex, spearheaded the Heads Together mental health campaign. They collaborated with eight mental health charity partners to shift the national dialogue on mental health. The coalition included the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, Best Beginnings, CALM (The Campaign Against Living Miserably), Contact (a military mental health coalition), Mind, Place2Be, The Mix, and YoungMinds. The campaign aimed to build on existing nationwide progress in reducing stigma, raising awareness, and providing essential support for those experiencing mental health issues.
Heads Together had the honor of being named the 2017 Virgin Money London Marathon Charity of the Year, providing the campaign with a significant platform to raise funds for its charity partners and initiate countless conversations about mental wellbeing.
Since then, the Prince and Princess of Wales have remained at the forefront of various mental health programs through The Royal Foundation. These include initiatives such as Mentally Healthy Schools and Mental Health at Work, as well as their support for Shout 85258, a free crisis text line offering 24/7 assistance to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis.
Sport and the Outdoors
The Princess of Wales firmly advocates for the significance of outdoor activities in shaping children’s future health and happiness. She believes that spending time outdoors lays essential foundations that endure throughout childhood and into adulthood.
The Princess is also an avid sportswoman and holds a strong belief in the interconnection between physical and mental health. She recognizes that physical activity not only enhances mental wellbeing but also has the capacity to engage, educate, and inspire, ultimately transforming lives for the better. Her passion for sport, nature, and the outdoors originates from her own upbringing, where she enjoyed activities such as tennis, hockey, and sailing from a young age.
In 2019, the Princess took on the role of designing and constructing a series of Back to Nature gardens, showcased at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival. These gardens were crafted with the intention of showcasing how outdoor activities can enhance a child’s early development by fostering active exploration and facilitating the formation and reinforcement of positive relationships. The project reached its culmination with the establishment of a permanent Back to Nature play garden at RHS Wisley, which Her Royal Highness inaugurated in September 2019.
Her Royal Highness remains dedicated to supporting organizations that strive to provide young people with opportunities to experience the outdoors and engage in physical activities. As Royal Patron of several sport-related institutions, including SportsAid, The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, The Lawn Tennis Association, Rugby Football League, Rugby Football Union, and The 1851 Trust, she actively champions initiatives aimed at promoting sports and outdoor activities among the youth.
Visual Arts
The Princess of Wales has maintained a deep-seated interest in the visual arts, photography, design, and textiles, stemming from her academic background in History of Art at St. Andrews University. Serving as Patron of numerous arts organizations, including the National Portrait Gallery, the V&A, and the Royal Photographic Society, Her Royal Highness actively supports initiatives within the artistic community.
A fervent photographer, the Princess has generously shared her photographic work with the public over the years. In January 2020, she participated in a special photography project commemorating the 75th anniversary of the end of the Holocaust. Her contributions included two poignant photographic portraits capturing Holocaust survivors and their families.
In May 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Her Royal Highness initiated Hold Still, a photography project in collaboration with the National Portrait Gallery. The project invited members of the public to submit photographic portraits they had captured during lockdown, offering a distinctive portrayal of the nation’s collective and individual experiences as the pandemic unfolded.
From a pool of over 31,000 entries, a final selection of 100 portraits was curated to create a digital exhibition. Later, this exhibition was brought to the streets of the UK as part of a community display. The culmination of the project was marked by the publication of the Hold Still book, with proceeds from its sales shared between leading mental health charity Mind and the National Portrait Gallery, contributing to arts and mental health initiatives across the UK.
Royal Patronages
As Patron of several organizations aligned with her specific charitable interests, the Princess of Wales seeks to make a meaningful difference in areas close to her heart. These encompass aiding vulnerable children, young people, and their families, promoting opportunities through sports and outdoor activities, and celebrating national institutions reflecting her passion for the visual arts.
In her capacity as their Royal Patron, Her Royal Highness lends her support to their key projects and initiatives. She also shines a spotlight on their work through her official engagements and, when appropriate, facilitates collaboration between organizations to bolster mutual support and effectiveness.
The Royal Foundation
Indeed, the Princess of Wales, much like her husband, directs her own philanthropic efforts through The Royal Foundation. This platform enables her to pursue initiatives and projects close to her heart, working towards positive social change and making a difference in various spheres, including mental health, early childhood development, sports, and the arts.
The Royal Foundation develops programs and charitable projects aligned with the interests of Their Royal Highnesses by collaborating with organizations already making a proven impact in their respective fields. Through mobilizing leaders, businesses, and individuals, the Foundation aims to address society’s most pressing challenges. Its approach is grounded in world-class research, long-term partnerships, and a commitment to measurable, scalable impact, ensuring that its efforts make a meaningful difference in the lives of those it serves.
Christmas Carol Service
Since 2021, the Princess of Wales has taken the lead in organizing the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey. This annual event serves as a means to unite people during the holiday season and honor those who have shown exceptional kindness and support to others throughout the year.
Related Posts
About The Author
