London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Saturday, Jul 04, 2026

Kate Middleton makes surprise appearance before important day

Kate Middleton makes surprise appearance before important day

The Duchess of Cambridge made a surprise appearance on Thursday night ahead of one of the biggest speeches of her royal career.

In the clip posted by Kensington Palace, Kate unveiled one of the first findings from her Five Big Questions on the Under Fives survey.

In the accompanying caption, Kensington Palace said: "Tonight we start sharing the #5BigInsights from our landmark research on the early years, commissioned by The Royal Foundation and conducted by ipsos mori, starting with Insight 1..."

The Duchess revealed from the landmark research: "98 per cent of you said that nurture is essential to lifelong outcomes. But just one in four actually recognise the specific importance of the first five years of a child's life."

On Monday, Kate revealed that more than half a million people took part in the survey, which she launched in January.

The Duchess promoted the project during a mini tour of the UK between 22 January and 21 February, making visits to Cardiff, Birmingham, Woking, London, Belfast and Aberdeen.

In the video posted on Kensington Palace's social media accounts on Monday, Kate said: "This year has been a hugely challenging time for us all and there hasn’t been a more important time to talk about families."

The Duchess also revealed that she would be answering some of the public's questions in relation to the study.



The Duchess during her visit to Birmingham in January


Since joining the royal family in 2011, Kate has made early years development one of her biggest focuses, after seeing how problems such addiction, homelessness and family breakdown can be traced back to the earliest years of life.

The 5 Big Questions survey is part of a major body of research commissioned by The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and conducted by Ipsos MORI.

The research also includes surveys conducted before and during the pandemic, to assess the impact of the health crisis on families.

This Friday, Kate will give the keynote speech at an online forum hosted by The Royal Foundation and Ipsos MORI to discuss the full findings.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Cornwall Van Dwellers Face Homelessness Risk as Council Tightens Enforcement
Police Investigate Stabbing of Iranian Journalist in London
Rare Copy of US Declaration of Independence Discovered in UK Archive
Department for Education Data Shows Persistent Literacy Gap Among Disadvantaged White Pupils
London Casino Faces Legal Action Over Alleged Tip Distribution Practices
England Records Hottest June on Record as Heatwave Disrupts Services Nationwide
UK Foreign Office Ends Overseas Education Programme for Women and Girls After Shortfall
UK Lawmakers Call for Urgent Action to Preserve Historic Outdoor Lidos
Police Criticise Extended Pub Opening Hours for England World Cup Fixture in Mexico
UK Safety Authorities Warn Parents Over AI-Generated Child Abuse Imagery Risks
Reform UK-Led Council Struggles to Attract Sponsors for Union Flag Promotion Scheme
OpenAI UK Investment Uncertainty Grows After Reported Setback on Stargate Data Centre Site
British Medical Association Warns of Severe Financial Crisis and Possible Staff Cuts
UK Devolution Debate Intensifies as Celtic Nations Prepare Breakup Contingency Plans
Starmer Signals Labour Transition as Burnham Emerges as Potential Successor
UK Government Consults International Partners on Maritime Trade Security and Energy Market Stability
Rare Revolutionary-Era Documents Discovered by UK Archives and Undergoing Authentication
UK Consumer Confidence Remains Deep in Negative Territory as Household Spending Stays Cautious
Transport for London Warns of Severe Disruption as Major Events Converge in Central London
NHS and Social Care Sectors Face Ongoing Recruitment Shortages Amid Persistent Workforce Gaps
Rising Energy Costs Drive Price Pressures Across UK Retail and Service Sectors
Competition and Markets Authority Expands Review of Artificial Intelligence Impact on UK Media Markets
UK Parliamentary Committees Intensify Scrutiny of National Security and Industrial Policy Legislation
Bank of England Faces Persistent Inflation Pressure as Rate Cut Expectations Fade
UK Public Finances Under Pressure as Borrowing Exceeds Forecast and Debt Nears 95% of GDP
Major Police Deployment Across Central London as Mass Demonstrations and Pride Parade Converge
Large-Scale Police Dispersal Powers Activated in Liverpool Ahead of Anti-Immigration Protests and Counter-Demonstrations
Luxury bags take over the World Cup: style, status symbol, or just showing off?
National Productivity Institute Highlights Weak Business Investment Outside Southern England
UK High Court Orders Reassessment of Environmental Impact in Major Highway Project
UK Cyber Security Centre Warns of Rising Threat From State-Sponsored Digital Espionage
UK Education Secretary Launches National Reform of Apprenticeships and Vocational Training
Financial Conduct Authority Tightens Climate Risk Disclosure Requirements for Listed Firms
Rail Union Suspends Planned Strike Action to Enter Formal Negotiations With Operators
Northern Ireland Businesses Seek Clarity Over Post-Brexit Trade Rules
Welsh Government Launches Regional Growth Plan Targeting Transport and Digital Infrastructure
North Sea Wind Sector Attracts £5 Billion Investment Amid Expansion of Offshore Capacity
Scotland and UK Governments Establish New Framework for Coordinated Investment in Energy and Infrastructure
UK Government Launches Major Immigration and Border Policy Overhaul Review
Bank of England Signals Interest Rates to Remain Elevated Despite Easing Inflation Pressures
National Health Service Warns of Severe Winter Capacity Strain Across Hospital Trusts
Chancellor Orders Urgent Treasury Review Amid Concerns Over Structural Public Finance Gap
Prime Minister Unveils Sweeping Legislative Programme Focused on Housing, Health Service Reform and State Energy Plan
UK Parliamentary Committee Launches Inquiry Into Falling Primary School Rolls and Public Service Impact
UK House of Lords Debates Electoral Commission Powers and Political Finance Reform
UK Parliament Considers Expanding Carbon Rules to International Aviation and Shipping Emissions
UK Traffic Commissioner Revokes Hampshire Haulage Operator Licence Over Regulatory Failures
UK Parliament Examines Risks in Public Contracts Awarded to Technology Firm Palantir
UK Competition Watchdog Moves Toward More Flexible Merger Rules to Support Efficiency and Growth
UK Government Seeks Approval for £1.15 Trillion Public Spending Plan Amid Scrutiny Over Department Budgets
×