The Princess of Wales has announced a groundbreaking initiative aimed at supporting children’s development into happy, healthy adults. In a heartfelt message, she urged: “Let us build a more loving, empathetic, and compassionate society together.”
This message features prominently in her foreword to the new Shaping Us Framework, which she will officially launch this week. Highlighting the need for a societal shift, Princess Kate writes: “To create a physically and mentally healthier society, we must reset, restore, and rebalance. We must invest in humankind.”
Developed by global experts through the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, the Shaping Us Framework outlines 30 key social and emotional skills that begin developing in early childhood. Kate emphasizes the importance of these skills, stating: “We must prioritise them if we are to thrive.”
Reflecting on current societal challenges, she writes: “At times, it can feel like the world is filled with mistrust and misunderstanding, leaving many people feeling isolated and vulnerable during difficult times. The impact of this—poor mental health, addiction, and abuse—can be devastating.”
She continues: “If we are to address this properly and find lasting solutions to these deep-rooted challenges, we must reset, restore, and rebalance. We must invest in humankind.”
Early childhood development has long been a cornerstone of the Princess’s work. She stresses that meaningful change requires self-reflection and collective action: “That means taking a profound look at ourselves and our own behaviours, emotions, and feelings. It means acting with compassion and empathy towards one another, understanding how we can strengthen the connections that unite us, and finding new ways to build stronger communities. Society is something we create together through our daily actions.”
While the framework focuses on early development, Kate highlights that these skills continue to evolve throughout life: “It is never too late.”
She concludes with a call to action: “We can all play a vital part in building a more loving, empathetic, and compassionate society—a world where humanity is reconnected.”
The release of the Shaping Us Framework marks a significant milestone for the Centre for Early Childhood, which Princess Kate founded in 2021. A royal source noted, “The Princess is excited to shine a light on the importance of early childhood and the work of the Centre.”
The framework identifies 30 essential life skills, grouped into six categories:
- Knowing Ourselves
- Managing Our Emotions
- Focusing Our Thoughts
- Communicating with Others
- Nurturing Relationships
- Exploring the World
Its goal is to encourage open conversations about these skills, helping individuals nurture both their own emotional well-being and that of others.
