The Princess of Wales says children give her “hope for the future”
The Princess of Wales has said children give her hope for the future, but it is up to adults to âprioritise loveâ so they can live happy and fulfilling lives.
The future queen penned an essay detailing her thoughts and experiences following her research trip to the city of Reggio Emilia in Italy last month. The visit marked the princessâ first duties overseas for three and a half years, since she and husband Prince William visited Boston in December 2022.
The two-day âfact-finding missionâ was as part of her work with the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Development, to research how different communities approach childrenâs education and wellbeing. Reflecting on her successful visit, the princess said: âChildren always give me hope. Their natural openness, their curiosity about the simplest of things, and their ability to wonder, dream and play remind me of the very best qualities of humanity.
âThe children I met on my recent trip to Reggio Emilia radiated such qualities.â
In the essay, titled âCreating the conditions for love to flourish through nature & creativityâ, the princess highlighted the need for creating loving relationships and safe spaces at home and within society for children to thrive. The mum-of-three also spoke of the need for genuine connection to help us âfind meaning in lifeâ, in a world which for many is dominated by time spent in front of screens and social media.
The Princess of Wales says children give her “hope for the future”
During her visit, the princess learnt about the Reggio Emilia Approach, an educational philosophy which focuses on the idea that children have the potential for self-development. Following visits to schools and meeting experts, palace aides said the princess now wants to take her Centreâs work around the world to learn more about other cultures and educational settings.
She said: âIn an increasingly digitalised world, where so much of life is mediated through screens, the need for genuine human connection has never been greater. Many of us yearn to reconnect with ourselves, with others, and the natural world.
âI believe that connection grounds us. It brings us back to our sense of self, to the present moment, to what is real and felt rather than abstract and distant. By spending time in nature or being creative, we can nurture the very skills and emotions that cannot be digitised: awareness, empathy, humility, and above all, love.
âThese foundational qualities help us relate to others, understand our place in the world, and ultimately find meaning in life. All of them echo a way of being we knew instinctively in childhood, marked by openness, curiosity and emotional immediacy.â
Princess Kate said adults need to “prioritise love” to help children live happy and fulfilling lives
Following her cancer diagnosis and treatment, the princess has spoken of how nature has played an integral part in her healing journey. Together with enveloping children in a nurturing environment, the princess said children can reach their full potential.
She said: âIn a world that can often feel fast-paced and fragmented, it is important to consider the environments in which children learn and develop. Healthy development needs to be holistic. It should reflect the whole child, beyond physical or cerebral milestones, acknowledging the importance of early relationships, experiences and environments. By allowing children to feel connected from an early age, we can help them carry that sense of balance into adulthood. If healing later in life is about rediscovering our most important connections, then perhaps the real task is to ensure that they are never lost in the first place.â
The princess also children can experience joy through âmovement and play, curiosity and interactionâ. She added: âIt is vital to preserve the spirit of childhood alongside healthy development. âChildhood is foundational in developing a healthy balance between mind, body and spirit.
âBut children are not simply learners of information. They donât analyse joy but live it; they donât intellectualise connection, but embody it. They experience the world through feeling â through love.â
The Princess of Wales praised the city of Reggio Emilia in Italy for its world leading approach to early years development of children
The princess praised her Italian hosts for their unique understanding and development of early years, which has been recognised around the world.
She said: âThe cityâs approach is built on humility: a mindset that encourages empathy, selflessness and curiosity – the social and emotional skills needed to build healthy relationships. The people of Reggio Emilia have shown that happy childhoods are the foundation of happy communities, and that genuine connection begins with listening and understanding.â
Kate, 44, also spoke about a personal interaction with another parent at her childrenâs school and how she responded.
She added: âLast week, a parent at my childrenâs school asked me if we could all do just one thing, what would it be? My answer is simple: to prioritise love. Iâm not talking about overly sentimental and romantic gestures, but love that is quiet and unconditional, built on time and patience: the joy found in ordinary things; the everyday magic of life itself.
“This is how we stay well, remain connected to our inner selves and create the lasting relationships that nourish us throughout life. If we can surround children with nurturing, loving environments, we can help them build the human capabilities they need to thrive in the world today.â
