Princess Kate delivered a groundbreaking speech at today's Future Workforce Summit in the City of London.
The Princess of Wales met Sir Gareth Southgate, as well as over 80 business leaders who had gathered to hear from experts in the early years field.
Kate opened the speech saying: "Good morning, everyone. Thank you for being here today. I do hope you will find it interesting and insightful. We have got some fantastic speakers, thank you, to all of you for your time, support and commitment.
"I would also like to take this opportunity to say thank you to Christian, who has led The Centre and built many of the relationships here today. Thank you, Christian, for holding the fort, particularly over the last couple of years."
Christian Guy was appointed Director for The Royal Foundation’s Centre for Early Childhood (the Centre) in 2023.
The mother-of-three continued: "My passion and the work of The Centre for Early Childhood stems from one essential truth: that the love we feel in our earliest years fundamentally shapes who we become and how we thrive as adults.
"Love is the first and most essential bond. But it is also the invisible thread, woven with time, attention and tenderness, through consistent, nurturing relationships, which creates the grounded and meaningful environments around a child.
"It is this texture, the weave of love, which forms a child’s emotional world and becomes the foundation, the very fabric of resilience and belonging."
Princess Kate delivers groundbreaking speech on 'building healthier society' at major summit
|PA
Kate asserted: "The home should be the space where love, safety and rhythm enable a child to thrive. A loving home ultimately teaches us how to love and how to care, but every environment has the potential to shape our hearts.
"Everyone of you interacts with your own environment: a home, a family, a business, a workforce, a community.
"These are the ecosystems that you yourselves help to weave.
"Imagine a world where each of these environments were built on valuing time and tenderness just as much as productivity and success."
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Princess Kate wearing a grey trouser suit
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The Princess continued: "As business leaders, you will face the daily challenge of finding the balance between profitability and having a positive impact.
"But the two are not, and should not be incompatible.
"At The Centre for Early Childhood, we believe that we must do all we can to create the conditions for love to flourish. That is how we invest in our future.
"Every child deserves respect and safety, and everyone who cares deserves recognition and appreciation."
Princess Kate is looking forward to hearing how businesses investing in the early years can play an important role in shaping the next generation | REUTERSKate concluded: "Every act of care creates community because we are all essentially weavers of the same fabric.
"I believe in restoring the dignity to the quiet, often invisible work of caring, of loving well, as we look to build a happier, healthier society.
"You are here because you care, so thank you."