When Princess Kate discussed what her future role within the monarchy would be back in 2010, at the time of her engagement to Prince William, she said: “I’m willing to learn quickly and work hard…I really hope I can make a difference, even in the smallest way. I am looking forward to helping as much as I can.”
Over the past 13 years, the royal has launched a number of independent initiatives, spearheaded working groups, taken the lead on national campaigns and advocated for numerous issues close to her heart. This has been done alongside regular royal engagements, overseas tours and raising her young family with Prince William.
In January of this year, Kate stepped out of the public eye to undergo abdominal surgery. In March she revealed that this had informed a subsequent cancer diagnosis.
Though Kate is not expected to return to public life until her medical team has cleared her, it was revealed on Monday that she is being briefed on her key projects and kept informed behind the scenes.
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Here, Newsweek takes a look at some of Princess Kate’s royal career milestones so far, from national surveys on mental health and childhood development to photography projects and Christmas carol concerts.
Heads Together—2016
In 2016, Kate, alongside Prince William and Prince Harry, launched the “Heads Together” campaign on mental health.
The national campaign sought to encourage members of the public to break the stigma surrounding mental health by discussing it within communities and social groups. The organization also fundraises for mental health initiatives around Britain.
Mentally Healthy Schools—2018
In 2018, Kate launched the Mentally Healthy Schools initiative, an online resource for children and young people focused on providing tools to help better understand mental health and wellbeing.
The initiative was launched as a legacy of the Heads Together campaign and today is run by the Anna Freud organization.
Nicky J Sims/Getty Images for Royal Foundation
Early Years Symposium—2018
Also in 2018, Kate spearheaded a national symposium gathering heads of charities and academics working in the early childhood development sector held at the Royal Society of Medicine.
The event was one of the key foundation milestones, which informed her later work in early years and children’s mental health.
Back to Nature—2019
2019 saw the duchess’ work with mental health and children converge in her co-designing the “Back to Nature” garden, which was exhibited at the world famous RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London.
The princess designed the garden with a focus on play and adventure for young people garden alongside landscape architects Davies White. It was road tested by Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis during a special preview event, after which the royal gave Queen Elizabeth II a private tour.
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State of the Nation Survey—2020
In 2020, the Royal Foundation published the results of a groundbreaking national survey on the early years experience, headed by Kate. The ‘5 Big Questions on the Under Fives’ survey formed part of the princess’ goal to raise the general awareness for the importance of children’s early year experiences and how these can inform the development of society in later life.
“I believe, the early years should be on par with the other great social challenges and opportunities of our time,” she said at the time.
Hold Still—2021
During the COVID pandemic, Kate utilized her love of photography to launch a campaign documenting the experiences of everyday Britons during lockdowns.
The Hold Still campaign invited members of the public to submit images documenting their lives during the pandemic, a number of which were ultimately chosen to go on a cross-country tour once restrictions had been lifted.
In addition to an exhibition held at London’s National Portrait Gallery, the images were included in a specially produced book which raised money for both the gallery and the mental health charity, Mind.
The Centre For Early Childhood—2021
In 2012, William and Kate’s Royal Foundation launched the new Centre for Early Childhood as a centralized hub for Kate’s work in the early years and children’s mental health sectors.
The center serves as an umbrella organization for the numerous projects and campaigns launched to raise awareness are impact for the experiences of young people, seeking to foster a healthier and happier society as a whole.
Richard Pohle – WPA Pool/Getty Images
Together at Christmas—2021
2021 saw Kate launch the inaugural event of one of her most popular initiatives, the Together at Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey.
This annual event was spearheaded by the princess as a way to highlight and recognize the work of community members across Britain who have helped others in some way.
The 2021 event was held to honor front line and key workers during the COVID pandemic. The 2022 event was a special tribute event to the life and reign of Queen Elizabeth II, and the 2023 service was dedicated to the nation’s work in the early years sector.
Shaping Us—2023
In January 2023, Kate launched her most ambitious national early years awareness campaign to date, titled “Shaping Us.”
The campaign was launched with several high-profile appearances by the princess and included a special symposium held in London with celebrities, political figures and ex-prime minister Tony Blair, in attendance.
Business Taskforce for Early Childhood—2023
In 2023 Kate launched the Royal Foundation Business Taskforce for Early Childhood, which sought to gather leaders from the business world to inform and contribute to discussions surrounding mental health and early years development.
In May 2024, the group published its first major report highlighting the benefits that prioritizing early childhood among the business community and wider society could bring.
James Crawford-Smith is Newsweek‘s royal reporter, based in London. You can find him on X (formerly Twitter) at @jrcrawfordsmith and read his stories on Newsweek‘s The Royals Facebook page.
Do you have a question about King Charles III, William and Kate, Meghan and Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@newsweek.com. We’d love to hear from you.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
