The Princess of Wales has admitted that raising young children is tough but believes that "love goes a long way" in bringing up little ones.
In a new video to promote her Shaping Us early years campaign, Kate is joined by Capital FM radio host Roman Kemp to talk about the importance of mental wellbeing, relationships and how by nurturing children in the earliest years of their life, society can build a nation of healthy happy adults.
Wearing a sheepskin coat, polo neck jumper and gloves, Kate and Roman chat as they walk through the Hertfordshire countryside about the importance of talking about mental health and how early experiences can shape adults in later life.
As they sit down to chat over tea, Roman chats about his childhood, but recognises that bringing up children can be "so difficult" due to the cost of living and the financial difficulties facing many.
Kate tells him: "Absolutely. And this is the thing, every family is different - and the pressures that we all face are different.
"While raising the importance of early childhood, this isn't about putting extra pressure on families, it's actually saying they need the support and help reprioritising family life, home life and all that it takes in raising children today because it is tough.
"The relationships in a family or surrounding that child are so important. The environment in which you bring up a child is important as is the experiences you engage them in.
"It's not about the number of toys they've got or the number of trips you go on with them. It's just making sure they have the right emotional support around them that comes from the adults in their lives."
Roman then tells Kate he has been lucky to be "very loved" in his life and that he is privileged - but that he would like to make it a normality for all children.
And Kate adds: "Love goes a long way! It's very true."
The princess launched her Shaping Us initiative on Tuesday, an ambitious campaign described as her "life’s work" and aimed at raising the profile of the early years development of children.
Kate outlined the scope of her campaign, promoted this week by a series of events and videos, during a reception on Monday, describing it as a long-term project beginning with how a child develops and the importance of the formative years.
She said it will go on to "explore in more depth the importance of a child’s social and emotional world” and the significance of relationships and “surroundings and experiences".
"And of course, by understanding our own childhoods – what has shaped our own beliefs, relationships, behaviours and feelings – we, as adults, are better placed to play our part in positively shaping future generations," the princess added.
Roman, the son of Spandau Ballet star Martin Kemp, has previously spoken candidly about his mental health struggles after the death of close friend, and Capital FM producer, Joe Lyons.
In 2021, he presented a BBC Three documentary looking at the mental health crisis affecting young men and revealed he had considered taking his own life after battling depression for more than a decade.
