Kate Middleton has been working from home on her early years project considered ... trends now
Kate Middleton has been working from home on an early years project hailed as her 'life's work' while recovering from abdominal surgery.
The Princess of Wales, 42, launched the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood's (RFCEC) Shaping Us project in January last year, aiming to highlight the importance of early years development in children.
Kensington Palace has confirmed Kate is continuing to work on the project as she recovers at home; the Centre has funded a trial of a baby observation tool for health visitors to monitor social and emotional development in youngsters.
The Princess personally suggested the tool could be used in Britain after seeing a similar system during a royal visit to Denmark, according to reports - meaning she is very invested in the trial and its results, due to be published today.
The news she is being kept informed suggests she could be preparing to return to work as planned; Kensington Palace has maintained since January she is 'unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter'.
Catherine, Princess of Wales, attending a Shaping Us event with the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood in November last year. The project is said to be her 'life's work'
The Princess was last seen on Royal duties in December as she attended the Christmas morning service at Sandringham Church alongside the rest of the Royal Family
William and Kate at the launch of the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood's Shaping Us campaign in January 2023
The project was launched with a claymation film (above) that highlighted the importance of early years development in young children
William made reference to Kate's passion for early years development during a visit to Sheffield on Tuesday (above), noting that she should be 'sat here' for the discussions
'The Princess has been kept updated throughout the process,' a spokesperson for Kensington Palace told the Telegraph of the Royal Foundation project.
The comment is the first the palace has made on Kate's early years work since she underwent planned abdominal surgery at the start of 2024.
Today, the RFCEC is expected to publish the results of a study conducted in two NHS trusts that have piloted the early years development tool.
It had asked health visitors to use a type of monitoring aid known as the Alarm Distress Baby Scale, which logs indicators such as eye contact, facial expressions and activity levels to help experts understand how babies express themselves.
Those who have used it have reportedly expressed enthusiasm and support for the way in which it helps them to understand babies' behaviour and development.
According to the the Princess's Foundation, the vast majority of Denmark's municipalities are trained in using the Alarm Distress Baby Scale - at least 82 out of 98 - so any signs of development issues can be identified early and acted on.
Launching the campaign in January 2023, Kate said: 'The campaign is
