It’s great to see Catherine joyful. Pic: Prince and Princess of Wales Insta
It’s great to see Catherine shining once again, as the Princess of Wales launches a new initiative and announces a trip to Italy. On Wednesday, Kate was at the University of East London, where she launched new research and resources for early years development, from her Centre for Early Childhood.
Sporting a fluid, beige, Roland Mouret trouser suit, she spent time with parents and their children, who were wearing sensors which tracked their emotions in different situations, to show how stress affects young children’s brains.
Catherine at the University of East London. Pics: Prince and Princess of Wales Insta
It’s central to new research and resources the princess announced, through her Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood. And Kensington Palace confirmed next week, she will undertake her first overseas visit in three years. The Princess will travel to Reggio Emilia, in Italy, for her Early Childhood work and a spokesperson said she was “very much looking forward” to the solo trip. It’s a significant milestone, as the first international trip after her cancer treatment and we’re hopeful it marks the beginning of a new stage for the princess. She also looked absolutely glowing when she attended a Buckingham Palace Garden Party on Friday with William – see more on this, below.
Catherine has long been committed to early years research and her new report aims to bring uniformity to guidelines for those working with young children. “What we are really hoping to do is try and make that easier for families, for mums and all parents, really, to try and have access to that really important information and that guidance, but in a more agile and tangible way,” Catherine said on Wednesday.
William and Kate at the Buckingham Palace Garden Party. Pic: Prince and Princess of Wales
In the report, she wrote, “In a world which feels increasingly distracted, fragmented and digital, where life’s pace, noise and interruptions can be overwhelming, I believe it is more important than ever to invest in what truly helps us to thrive: human connection.” The report also contains guidance about managing device usage – both in parents being distracted by phones and not being present for their children and the use of devices by young children. It’s a message where she and Harry and Meghan are united.
Here at The Royal List, we’re a pair of softies at the best of times but Charles’ magical video called ‘A Very Special Delivery’ made for Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday celebrations made us wobbly of chin and brought tears to our eyes. We’ve watched it a few times now, and yes, it moves us every time. What an utterly brilliant film, genius tribute and loving gift to an icon and national treasure.
In the four-minute film, Charles’s birthday message is delivered to the world’s most respected and renowned natural historian and broadcaster by an enchanting cast of animals across the length of the UK to the tune of Take That’s Greatest Day. Starting with Camilla’s dog, Moley (seen with Charles at Balmoral – apparently the Queen was off camera with enough treats to guarantee ‘mischievous Moley’ gave a star turn) to a swooping eagle, a hedgehog, a red squirrel, a fox, otter and Lily the owl, plus many more.
The film is a wonderful achievement by Buckingham Palace and the BBC’s Natural History Unit which surprised Sir David with it during a live broadcast from the Royal Albert Hall on Friday, in which he is seen waving the letter in hand.
Their close friendship over the decades. Pics: Royal Family Insta
William later took to the stage to pay his own birthday tribute on Friday night: “For me personally, your friendship has been profound. You have strengthened my own determination to act.” He said his children, like millions of others, had grown up with the broadcaster’s “incredible storytelling” shaping their understanding of the planet and their belief that it was worth fighting for.
“Tonight, we celebrate far more than a remarkable milestone of one hundred years. We celebrate a lifetime of extraordinary service,” said William. “A life that has brought the natural world closer to humanity, and humanity closer to its responsibility to the natural world. Your legacy is not only the films we treasure or the knowledge you have shared. It is the generations you have inspired. Generations who now look forward with determination and with optimism. If there is a baton to be taken up, it is the one you have prepared us to carry.”
* Watch David Attenborough’s 100 Years on Planet Earth on BBC iPlayer, here.
There’s no mistaking William’s passion for Aston Villa, as it was writ large all over his face at Villa Park. He had a fantastic Thursday evening in Birmingham cheering his football team to a 4-0 win over Nottingham Forest in the Europa League semi final. He even admitted the next day he had “bags under the eyes” from his jubilant late night. While Catherine said she let George, Charlotte and Louis stay up late to watch it on TV. We’re betting it will have to be a big diary clash to stop William flying to Istanbul for the May 20 final against German team, SC Freiburg!
August and Ernest look at their new sibling. Pic: Princess Eugenie Insta
We do love a royal baby and were delighted to see the announcement on Monday that Princess Eugenie is expecting her third child, this summer. “Her Royal Highness Princess Eugenie and Mr Jack Brooksbank are very pleased to announce that they are expecting their third child together, due this summer. August (aged 5) and Ernest (aged 2) are also very excited to have another sibling join the family,” the palace posted on Instagram, alongside a sweet snap of August and Ernest looking at an ultrasound. “His Majesty The King has been informed and is delighted with the news.” The photo was also posted by Eugenie on her socials – the first post she’s made since last November, following the release of the Epstein emails. We wish her well.
There was no mention of Eugenie’s parents in the post. However, both disgraced former royals were also making headlines again this week. Andrew was allegedly threatened by a balaclava-clad man in possession of a crowbar, close to Marsh Farm, his new Norfolk home. A man was later arrested. While perhaps the most bizarre royal splash to date this year is surely the Daily Mail’s ‘Fergie’s Most Outrageous Secret Of All – Her Years-Long Affair With Rapper P Diddy’. Read royal biographer Andrew Lownie’s allegations here!
We’re big fans of Zara and her Tindall tribe, so we were delighted to see her on royal duty this week. Looking gorgeous in a striking blue dress by Leo Lin, she joined Sophie and Edward who were also supporting William and Catherine at the second Buckingham Palace garden party of the season on Friday. And this coming Friday – May 15 – is another big day as Zara celebrates her 45th birthday. Have a great one, Zara!