The Princess of Wales, Catherine, visited the NatWest’s Headquarters in Central London where she hosted the inaugural meeting of her ‘Business Taskforce for Early Childhood’. The meeting discussed how the Early Years are important for businesses in the long run.
“Run by Business, for business, the Business Task Force will play an essential role in The Princess of Wales’ work to transform the way in which society priorities and supports children and the ecosystems around them in their earliest years”.
Kensington Palace
Early years intervention has been the primary focus of The Princess of Wales’s public role since 2011. The first few years of childhood are more pivotal for development, future health and happiness, than any other single moment of our lifetime. The Princess of Wales launched the Royal Foundation Center for Early Childhood in June 2021. Early childhood holds the key to the health of our economy and society, now and for generations to come. Given the key role of the business community in both the growth of our economy and in shaping our society, as well as the clear interest in developing a strong future workforce, this is an opportunity to come together to affect long-term change.
The Princess of Wales addressed the gathering and talked about her recent campaign shaping us. You can read the full text of her speech here.
“I have spoken before about the need to make early childhood the societal equivalent of climate change. In the way that the business world has embraced the net zero target to protect our environmental ecosystems, you also have an important role to play in ensuring that our social ecosystems are protected too”.
The Princess of Wales
The Taskforce will work to engage and support the business sector on the issue of early childhood and will help steer how the wider business community can build a supportive and nurturing world around children and those who care for them.
Dame Alison Rose, NatWest Group’s chief executive, said “Fundamentally, the growth of the economy is inseparable to the growth of our nation’s children. ‘The businesses represented in the room today all play a vital role in driving the change needed to ensure that children, families and communities up and down the country are empowered and equipped to meet their potential, both within and outside of our organisations.”
“The Princess and Dame Alison went out onto the building’s roof terrace to admire the sweeping views of the City, Kate joking: ‘I don’t feel qualified enough to be standing on this balcony.”
Daily Mail
Early this year in February, The Princess of Wales launched The Royal Centre for Early Childhood’s next milestone campaign – “Shaping Us” next week. The ‘Shaping Us’ campaign came after a decade-long journey throughout which The Princess of Wales has been working with experts, scientists and charities, organizations and representatives of the Early Years sector.
Catherine also appointed Advisory Group for the Royal Foundation Center for Early Childhood. The group is made up of 8 experts from across academia, science and the early year’s sector who will be offering strategic advice to The Princess of Wales and will oversee the work of the Royal Foundation. The group will support the delivery of the centre’s work in commissioning research, learning from best practices in the UK and globally, and raising awareness of the extraordinary impact the first five years of life have on future outcomes.
During the meeting, The Princess of Wales called on Britain’s most powerful business leaders for their support in facilitating the dramatic societal change she believes is needed if the country is to priorities future generations’ health and well being. The Involved businesses are
- NatWest Group
- Unilever
- Aviva
- Deloitte
- IKEA UK and Ireland
- Co-op
- The LEGO Group
- Iceland
What The Princess of Wales wore to the Early Years Business Task Force Meeting
For the day, The Princess of Wales chose a stunning but simple Monochrome chic look.
The Princess of Wales was wearing a off-white Alexander McQueen Crepe blazer. Thanks to Bojana for the id.
It looks like, Catherine paired the blazer with a white top and what looked like her L.K. Bennett Frieda Crepe Trousers.
Catherine topped the trouser with Anderson’s Croc-Effect Leather Belt.
The Princess of Wales was wearing her Asprey London Oak Leaf Small Hoop Earrings
