Princess Catherine has announced a new project exploring how nature supports children's healthy development, and WWF has responded within hours, saying "the evidence is clear".
New project announced
The 44-year-old shared the news in a video message released by Kensington Palace, emphasising the importance of "spending quality time outdoors" in a digital age. The project examines how nature can support a child's healthy development and lifelong wellbeing.
Catherine said: "New scientific research increasingly shows just how important nature is for our psychological and physiological wellbeing. Nature is such an extraordinary environment for us all and, in this tech-driven, digital age, spending quality time outdoors has never been more important."
Nature-based research
"This project is about exploring how nature, creativity and relationships can best support the healthy development of babies and young children," she continued. "We believe that taking a whole-child approach is important, and nature becomes a wonderful place to explore how we can successfully nurture the social and emotional skills that underpin lifelong health and wellbeing."
She added: "My hope is that through this practical, nature-based research, we can build supportive environments that help make nature more accessible, benefiting babies, young children and their families across the UK."
WWF backs the initiative
Holly McKinlay, Director of Brand & Engagement at WWF, said: "It's great to see the Princess of Wales shining a spotlight on the role nature can play in supporting children's emotional development. The evidence is clear that connecting with nature can boost children's wellbeing, confidence and learning, while helping them build a deeper relationship with the natural world, yet many children face barriers to spending time outdoors."
She added: "WWF's Happy By Nature programme works with schools across the UK to help make nature part of everyday learning and play, starting with the children who need it most."
Cornwall visit and next steps
The video was shot during the Prince and Princess of Wales' visit to Cornwall on Thursday, where the couple learned about the potential of nature-based learning in the earliest years of life. Kensington Palace also released three new pictures of Catherine, taken by royal photographer Josh Shinner in Cornwall yesterday.
The royal has commissioned The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood to take forward new work examining how nature-rich environments can support the social and emotional development of babies and young children across the UK, laying the foundations for a new programme set to launch next year. The work, supported by founding partner The Duchy of Cornwall, will combine research, practical testing and real-world learning.
The future King and Queen did not publicly announce yesterday's visit in advance; it only came to light in Friday's Court Circular. Whilst the couple appeared in Cornwall, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex made their first official joint public appearance since their UK return in Nottoiinga.
