At Harvard, Catherine is gaining new knowledge.
As part of her three-day trip to the United States with her husband Prince William, the Princess of Wales went out on her own on Friday morning. The royal went to the Center on the Developing Child at the prestigious university’s campus outside of Boston.
Catherine, 40, discussed with scientists how science’s advancements can be used to ensure that every child has a bright future. She was carefully taking notes as she talked to the experts.
Catherine signed the visitor book during the excursion, 36 years after the future King did the same thing during his visit to Harvard University in 1986.
The mother of three has been working extensively in recent years to promote early childhood development and give kids the best possible start in life. In order to “raise awareness of why the first five years of life are just so important for our future life outcomes, and what we can do as a society to embrace this golden opportunity to create a happier, more mentally healthy, more nurturing society,” she established the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood last year.
The Harvard Center has long been a supporter of The Royal Foundation and more recently The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, contributing to the field with earlier studies on the value of the formative years.
Jack Shonkoff, Center Director of Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child, commented after the Princess of Wales’ visit: “How seriously she is pursuing an early childhood agenda has greatly inspired me. It was remarkably laid-back and educational. We enjoyed our hour with her very much.”
He continues, “I see her as very motivated to make a difference in the world. “There was no sense of ego in the room because she is a modest individual. You can tell she is aware of the influence her platform can have and is motivated to help others and change the world.”
The Princess of Wales stated that society must “do everything we can to nurture our children” in their formative years in an opinion piece that was published by The Telegraph last week.
Catherine stated: “Over the past ten years, speaking with a wide range of experts about how we deal with societal issues, like poor mental and physical health, I have become more and more certain of one thing: if we are going to create a healthier and happier society for future generations, we must start by understanding and acknowledging the unique importance of the first five years of life.
Catherine greeted the crowds that gathered outside Harvard while she was in Cambridge. While chatting with locals, the Princess of Wales received flowers and stuffed animals.
Prince William will have a solo engagement while Catherine was at the Ivy League school. He’ll visit the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum on Friday. The Earthshot Prize, which will hold its second annual prize ceremony on Friday evening at Boston’s MGM Music Hall, was largely inspired by President John F. Kennedy’s Moonshot, which tasked America with putting a man on the moon. Five finalists will be chosen from the pool of winners, and each will receive a $1 million grant to use toward the objectives of their project.
According to a source who previously spoke with PEOPLE, “the award has become the Prince’s Super Bowl moment of the year, and he looks forward to continuing to use the platform each year to shine a light on some of the most significant projects doing amazing things around the world to save our planet’s future.”
