Princess Kate has shared fresh new portraits to mark a new early childhood project centered on the benefits of nature. The images, taken in Cornwall by photographer Josh Shinner, shows the Princess of Wales outdoors in a wooded setting, smiling in a Barbour jacket, patterned knit and floral shirt. She also wore her sapphire engagement ring as the photo was released alongside a short video message. According to Hello Magazine, the portrait was captured during a quiet visit to Nansledan with Prince William on Thursday.
Princess Kate Backs Nature-Based Early Years Research
In the video, the princess set out the aim of the new work with the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood. "New scientific research shows just how important nature is for our physical and psychological wellbeing. Nature is such an extraordinary environment for us all and in this tech-driven, digital age, spending time outdoors has never been more important," said Catherine according to Hello Magazine. The initiative will examine how nature-rich spaces can help babies and young children build social and emotional skills in their earliest years.
Prince William Joins Cornwall Visit for New Initiative
Kensington Palace said William and Catherine traveled to Cornwall to learn more about nature-based learning in early childhood settings. The new project will work with Prince William’s Duchy of Cornwall as a founding partner, tying the princess’s long-running work on early years to practical research on outdoor environments. The visit also placed the couple back in a county with strong family links, after they spent time there over Easter with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
Christian Guy Supports Catherine’s Early Years Focus
The project arrives with new polling commissioned by the Centre for Early Childhood. It found that 84 percent of parents believe time in nature supports their child’s wellbeing and development, while only 33 percent said their child spends time outdoors every day. Christian Guy, executive director of the center, praised the princess’s sustained focus on the issue. He said her work has examined how relationships, creativity and connection to the natural world help create conditions in which people can flourish.
Princess Kate Marks Personal and Public Moments
Thursday also carried personal meaning for the princess, as her nephew Arthur Matthews turned eight. Catherine is close to her family, including sister Pippa Middleton and brother James Middleton, and recent months have shown that bond in public and private moments alike. The Prince and Princess of Wales also marked the end of Baby Loss Awareness Week with a simple social media tribute showing a candle and the words: "Marking Baby Loss Awareness Week #WaveOfLight." The new portrait, meanwhile, adds another chapter to Catherine’s growing focus on nature after her recovery.
