Kate established the Centre for Early Childhood through the Royal Foundation

Prince William stepped in to provide key advice to Kate as she embarked on a candid conversation during a podcast.

When Kate recorded the episode with celebrity author and presenter Giovanna Fletcher back in 2020, both women found themselves unexpectedly anxious.

Mrs Fletcher told the Times: “What I think surprised me was how nervous we both were at the top of the chat.

“I think there’s no denying, when you talk to Catherine, you know what she means to the country, what influence she will have on life going forward — and can have with her early years campaigning.

Prince William stepped in to provide key advice to Kate as she embarked on a candid conversation during a podcast. | GETTY

“So I think I was nervous because of that. She was nervous because she knew that she was about to speak in a way that she’d never spoken before.”

The Princess of Wales was equally apprehensive, aware she was preparing to open up in an unprecedented manner, according to Fletcher.

Prince William stepped in with simple guidance: “Just talk.”

He reminded them that the recording could be edited afterwards. Taking his advice, what began as a 45-minute conversation transformed into a candid 90-minute discussion.

Kate established the Centre for Early Childhood through the Royal Foundation. | PA

Shortly afterwards, Kate established the Centre for Early Childhood through the Royal Foundation, which she shares with Prince William.

Royal aides have described this initiative as “her life’s work.”

The centre was conceived as a response to societal challenges affecting adults, with its approach focused on ensuring children receive the strongest possible foundation from their earliest days.

A source close to the princess reveals her perspective on the work: “She often says, ‘People think I’m doing this because I’m a mother, but actually it’s not just about children. It’s about adults.'”

The centre’s mission centres on a fundamental understanding of human development during the earliest stages of life.

Its purpose extends far beyond supporting young children and their parents, addressing instead the root causes of difficulties that manifest in adulthood.

By intervening at the point when brains are being built and futures are being shaped, the initiative aims to prevent problems before they take hold.

Kate has been clear that her motivation stems not simply from her role as a mother of three, but from a broader recognition that investing in the very young ultimately benefits society as a whole. | GETTY

Kate has been clear that her motivation stems not simply from her role as a mother of three, but from a broader recognition that investing in the very young ultimately benefits society as a whole.

Christian Guy, the centre’s executive director, describes the initiative as carrying a “Your country needs you” message, drawing a comparison to the famous Lord Kitchener recruitment poster from the First World War.

“One of the key things to understand,” Guy explained, “is that the earliest years this period of profound human development and the way we build brains and set people up for their future is a job for everybody. This is a societal cause.”

He added that the princess is “very determined to help to inspire and inform everyone who can play their part.”