A study on nature and early childhood

Catherine, Princess of Wales, has launched a project examining how contact with the natural world supports the social and emotional development of babies and young children. She presented it in a video posted on her social media profiles on 16 October. The research will be carried out by the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, which she founded in 2021 to house her work on the early years. The Duchy of Cornwall, the private landed estate of Prince William, is backing the initiative. Her video said the work aims to benefit babies, young children and their families across the UK. In the video she made her case in the following words:

“Nature is such an extraordinary environment for us all and, in this tech-driven, digital age, spending quality time outdoors has never been more important.”

Visiting Nansledan

On Thursday 15 October, William and Catherine made a private visit to Nansledan, a sustainable urban extension of Newquay on Duchy of Cornwall land. The Court Circular, the official record of royal engagements, confirms that the couple spent the afternoon there. Their aim was to learn what nature-based learning could offer in the earliest years of life. The Duchy's estate could later host educational visits linked to the project. On 16 October Kensington Palace released a new portrait of Catherine, taken the day before by the photographer Josh Shinner during that unannounced trip.

What the research will examine

The study will look at how nature, creativity and relationships can best support healthy development in babies and young children. Researchers from universities, childcare services, charities and environmental organisations are set to work together on it. The aim is to understand how access to nature can help build social and emotional growth. The project is the latest step in Catherine's campaign to promote early childhood education, the area the centre was set up to house. Her video framed the study as a practical, nature-based research effort. The programme is due to start in 2027.

Her message and earlier work

In the same video she pointed to a growing body of research, in these words:

“New scientific research increasingly shows just how important nature is for our psychological and physiological wellbeing.”

Nature has been a recurring theme in her public work. After announcing her remission from cancer diagnosed in 2024, she published a series of seasonal videos between 2025 and January 2026, in which she called nature her 'refuge'. She has long spoken about the benefits of experiences in nature, particularly during her treatment. The new project adds to that record with a focus on the youngest children.