Catherine's first speech in two years calls for dignity for carers

Catherine's first speech in two years calls for dignity for carers

In her first public address in two years, the Princess of Wales emphasized the need to restore dignity to carers and to foster greater respect for values such as “tenderness” within the business world. Speaking at an event held in the City of London, Catherine appealed directly to 80 senior business figures, urging them to support employees in balancing family commitments, including caregiving duties. She highlighted the often overlooked, quiet labor of caring as vital to creating a happier and healthier society.

This event marked Catherine’s return to in-person public speaking following her cancer diagnosis disclosed in March 2024, and came after a period during which she shared recorded messages about her recovery on social media. The speech, delivered confidently, began with a poem read by Alex Wharton, the former children’s laureate for Wales, reflecting the princess’s long-standing commitment to childhood and family wellbeing. Throughout her address, she underscored how early childhood love shapes individuals, stating, “The love we feel in our earliest years fundamentally shapes who we become and how we thrive as adults.”

The Princess encouraged business leaders to reassess their workplace models to place greater value on time and tenderness alongside productivity and financial success. Having established the Centre for Early Childhood prior to her illness, she called for a more holistic approach to measuring success. She acknowledged the challenges business leaders face in balancing profitability with positive societal impact, affirming that, “the two are not, and should not be incompatible.” The summit also featured insights from experts, including psychiatrist Robert Waldinger of Harvard Medical School, who shared research linking nurturing early relationships to emotional security in later life.

Former England football manager Sir Gareth Southgate also addressed the gathering, sharing how family backgrounds influence individuals’ capacity for trust and resilience. Drawing from his experience motivating players, he emphasized understanding personality differences and spoke candidly about managing stress through healthy habits and breathing techniques. Reflecting on his own recovery from the public disappointment of missing a penalty in the Euro 96 semi-final, he described the importance of rebuilding confidence gradually. The event, convened as part of the Business Taskforce initiated by the princess, included participation from major companies such as Aviva, NatWest, Iceland, Ikea, Lego, and Deloitte, all supporting the campaign to acknowledge the significance of early childhood

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