Princess Kate's business taskforce, which she founded in 2023, has published of a groundbreaking new report identifying a potential £45 billion ($57 billion) boost to the U.K. economy through investing in early childhood. However, she was missing from its official announcement on Tuesday.
The princess has been absent from public appearances and official royal work since January, where she first underwent abdominal surgery in London. In March she announced that she had received a cancer diagnosis and was undergoing a course of "preventative chemotherapy."
Kensington Palace released a Royal Foundation Business Taskforce for Early Childhood report titled "Prioritising early childhood for a happier, healthier society" on Tuesday, but without any statement or commendation from Kate.
The princess formed the taskforce in March 2023 to transform the way in which society supports children and their environments in their earliest years. She also founded the Royal Foundation Centre For Early Childhood in 2021 and launched her "Shaping Us" early years awareness campaign in January 2023.
The taskforce saw eight key U.K. businesses come together to share experiences and identify how an increased focus on children's early years can create a healthier and productive workforce. Tuesday's report is the taskforce's first major output.
Though Kate did not contribute to the report through an introduction or launch appearance that would typically be expected from this kind of project, she was mentioned in a statement given by the executive director of The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, Christian Guy.
"Today marks another milestone moment in our work to make early childhood a priority across society," he said in a press release marking the business taskforce's report.
"Some of the most significant businesses in Britain have joined forces to deliver a major rallying call to their fellow business leaders to prioritize young children and those who care for them—for the good of our society and economy.
"Whether it is helping families access the support they need, prioritizing the social and emotional well-being of children and the adults in their lives, or building a culture that prioritizes early childhood, business has a significant part to play.
"There is such enormous potential. We urge all businesses, no matter what their shape or size, to join us—the eight founding members, the Centre for Early Childhood, and The Princess - to help transform the way our country supports the vital early years."
Since her cancer announcement on March 22, Kate has not been seen in public, nor has she contributed any quotes or statements to professional endeavors.
In her video statement announcing her health developments, she made clear she needed to take time to focus on her health but was looking forward to returning to her public role.
"We hope that you will understand that, as a family, we now need some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment," she said. "My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to being back when I am able, but for now I must focus on making a full recovery."
No provisional date for the princess' return to public life has been given by Kensington Palace.
To launch the report on Tuesday, the eight founding member organizations of the Royal Foundation Business Taskforce for Early Childhood issued a statement, paying tribute to Kate's desire to engage the business world with early childhood development.
"Last year, Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales brought us together. She asked us to think radically about our approach to early childhood and the golden opportunity it presents to transform the lives of children today, as well as their future life outcomes," they said.
"Since then, our organizations have come together to share our knowledge and experience, as well as deepen our own understanding of the importance of early childhood development, to establish this comprehensive and compelling business case for change.
"If we get this right, the results for business, for the economy and for society are clear for all to see: a happier, more productive workforce today; a future workforce equipped with the skills needed to deal with all the complexity and challenges of the modern world, and £45.5 billion in value added for the national economy each year.
"As leaders of some of the U.K.'s largest businesses, we have a responsibility, but also a very clear vested interest in driving change in this area. We hope this report will encourage businesses of all sizes, across the U.K., to join us and help build a healthy, happy society for everyone."
James Crawford-Smith is Newsweek's royal reporter, based in London. You can find him on X (formerly Twitter) at @jrcrawfordsmith and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page.
Do you have a question about King Charles III, William and Kate, Meghan and Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@newsweek.com. We'd love to hear from you.
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About the writer
James Crawford-Smith is a Newsweek Royal Reporter, based in London, U.K. His focus is reporting on the British royal family ... Read more
