Princess Kate is supporting young people for life, not just for Christmas - analysis by Cameron Walker

Since marrying into the Royal Family in 2011, Princess Catherine has chosen tough topics to invest her time in.

Addiction, mental health and homelessness are issues the princess is passionate about, but her work has found many of the most vulnerable in society have a poor start in life.

Earlier this year, the princess said: “When I have asked many individuals, whose lives have reached crisis point; in prison rehabilitation programmes, addiction recovery centres, or those affected by homelessness; what would make the biggest difference in preventing similar pathways for future generations, they often talk about providing safety, belonging and love in early childhood.”

This is where her ‘Shaping Us’ campaign comes in.

Launched in January by The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, the campaign aims to raise awareness about the importance of the first five years of a child’s life, and how that can shape the future adults we become.

Ed Vainker advises the Princess of Wales on early childhood and spoke to GB News in an exclusive interview for ‘A Royal Year’, which airs on Christmas Day at 11am.

Ed said: “There’s a lot of evidence that investment in the earliest years has a much greater impact than investment later on. So we’re much better off spending a pound on supporting babies and parents than on building more prisons, for example. So overall, I would be encouraging investment to happen earlier. In education, we invest more in secondary than we do in primary, more in primary than we do in early years, and ideally, we would switch that around.”

The princess knows she cannot be political or shape policy, but convening those who can make a change could have an impact.

Perhaps it’s no surprise that Princess Catherine chose Early Childhood to be this year’s theme for her annual Christmas carol concert.

The congregation of 1,500 people was partly made up of midwives, nursery teachers and baby bank volunteers.

It is understood Her Royal Highness was inspired by Christmas being the time we celebrate the birth of a newborn baby.

Delivering a video message accompanying her ‘Together At Christmas’ event at Westminster Abbey, the princess said: “The arrival of every baby is a precious and momentous time, it brings us together to reflect on new beginnings and brings hope for the future."

“Throughout our earliest interactions, relationships and experiences, with those who love us, even before we are born, we lay the foundations to so much of what that future will depend on.”

“But only by valuing and supporting the vital role of the adults in a child’s world can we hope to make a difference.”

“And so tonight’s guests have been invited in recognition of their support of our youngest children, as we shine a spotlight on the critical role they play in nurturing and raising the future generation.”

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“From parents and carers, to early educators, midwives, health visitors and community volunteers, thank you for all you do in helping the very youngest members of our communities, feel safe, valued and loved.”

“This is not just making a difference to children today, it will go on to shape a happier, healthier, fairer world in the future.”

The princess’ campaign has won praise from both sides of the political divide, but awareness-raising can only go so far.

The princess hopes that she can bring societal change in the long term, but experts say this isn’t something that can be measured over a five-year parliamentary term.

It could take a whole generation to see if the future Queen’s ‘Shaping Us’ campaign has had a tangible impact.

To quote the animal shelter Dogs Trust’s famous slogan; it appears the Princess of Wales is in this “for life, not just for Christmas”.