The Princess of Wales has personally penned an essay about love and the need for ‘genuine human connection’ as children cope with the impact of an increasingly digital life.
The piece, which is published today on her Centre for Early Childhood website, highlights the importance of communicating face to face with the youngest members of society and was inspired by her trip to Reggio Emilia in Italy last month to learn more about the city’s unique approach to education and early years.
It comes just days after the government announced a ban on social media for the under 16s, prohibiting access to apps such as TikTok and Instagram, and placing restrictions on livestreaming to come into force next year.
She writes: ‘In an increasingly digitalised world, where so much of life is mediated through screens, the need for genuine human connection has never been greater.
‘Many of us yearn to reconnect with ourselves, with others, and the natural world. I believe that connection grounds us. It brings us back to our sense of self, to the present moment, to what is real and felt rather than abstract and distant.
‘By spending time in nature or being creative, we can nurture the very skills and emotions that cannot be digitised: awareness, empathy, humility, and above all, love. These foundational qualities help us relate to others, understand our place in the world, and ultimately find meaning in life.’
She adds: ‘Last week, a parent at my children’s school asked me if we could all do just one thing, what would it be? My answer is simple: to prioritise love. I’m not talking about overly sentimental and romantic gestures, but love that is quiet and unconditional, built on time and patience: the joy found in ordinary things; the everyday magic of life itself. This is how we stay well, remain connected to our inner selves and create the lasting relationships that nourish us throughout life.
‘If we can surround children with nurturing, loving environments, we can help them build the human capabilities they need to thrive in the world today.’
The Princess of Wales has personally penned an essay about love and the need for ‘genuine human connection’ as children cope with the impact of an increasingly digital life
Last month the future queen spent two days in the city, in northern Italy, her first foreign visit since her 2024 cancer diagnosis.
Reggio Emilia has, since the Second World War, pioneered a child-led approach to learning and development for the under fives, with as much outdoor education as possible.
Both Catherine and her husband, Prince William, have repeatedly expressed their concern about the pernicious effect of technology and social media on the young, with the prince saying they refuse to give their children phones.
It is understood the princess was keen to share her own reflections on what was an ‘amazing’ trip and ‘enjoys the writing’ process.
Her essay, entitled ‘Creating the conditions for love to flourish through nature & creativity’, begins: ‘Children always give me hope. Their natural openness, their curiosity about the simplest of things, and their ability to wonder, dream and play remind me of the very best qualities of humanity. The children I met on my recent trip to Reggio Emilia radiated such qualities. Their innate ability to connect and communicate in all sorts of different ways made me feel immediately welcome, as they accepted a complete stranger with confidence and joy.
‘The Italian city is globally renowned for its unique approach to early childhood. Since the Second World War, it has understood children as equal members of society. Children are treated with genuine respect and encouraged to express and share their ideas through their own ‘100 languages’ – the many verbal and non-verbal ways they have of expressing themselves. This approach has created a wider community of care, where all generations are valued equally and work together for the greater good.
‘The city’s approach is built on humility: a mindset that encourages empathy, selflessness and curiosity – the social and emotional skills needed to build healthy relationships. The people of Reggio Emilia have shown that happy childhoods are the foundation of happy communities, and that genuine connection begins with listening and understanding. ‘
Catherine, 44, a mother of three herself, has put the importance of the early years of child development at the forefront of her public work, believing a child’s experiences between the ages of birth and five can alter the course of their entire life given how much the brain develops at that age.
She penned the essay after visiting Reggio Emilia in Italy last month to learn more about the city’s unique approach to education and early years
She writes: ‘What makes childhood so special? It is often described as a time of innocence, but perhaps what we are really sensing is something deeper. Before they learn to separate thought from feeling, or become inhibited by self-awareness and social expectation, there is a kind of openness that feels both intuitive and whole.
‘As life unfolds, we learn to organise, interpret and make sense of the world through structure and language. These are essential and valuable skills, but they can also create distance from that early sense of connection. We become more aware of how we are seen, more careful in how we express ourselves, and often less anchored in that natural state of openness. Perhaps this is why so many of us, at different moments in life, feel drawn back toward stillness, toward nature, toward creativity and reflection.
‘Childhood, then, is not only a beginning: it is also a reference point. A reminder of our true nature – and one that, even as adults, we might try to rediscover. …….. It is vital to preserve the spirit of childhood alongside healthy development. Childhood is foundational in developing a healthy balance between mind, body and spirit. ‘
The princess argues that children ‘are not simply learners of information’, but ‘experience the world through feeling – through love.’
She adds: ‘Healthy social and emotional development is shaped through relationships with people and places. This happens everywhere, all the time: through movement and play, curiosity and interaction. When children are encouraged to explore, to question, and to express themselves freely, they develop not only understanding, but a sense of self and belonging.’
She argues that nature and creativity – such as drawing, dance and play – provide some of the most inspiring environments for youngsters, adding: ‘Giving children the time and space to engage with their landscapes, surrounded by natural light and the rhythm of the seasons, helps them develop a more grounded and intuitive relationship with the world
‘Creativity, too, allows children to express thoughts and feelings that exist beyond words. Drawing, making, dance and play help them process experience and emotion in ways that feel natural to them, fostering confidence, resilience, curiosity and shared understanding.
‘Creativity here becomes not just a skill, but a pathway to self-awareness and a richer way of life. ‘
Those caring for children, she says, can help them by creating conditions for children to ‘think, feel and discover’.
‘In a world that can often feel fast-paced and fragmented, it is important to consider the environments in which children learn and develop. Healthy development needs to be holistic. It should reflect the whole child, beyond physical or cerebral milestones, acknowledging the importance of early relationships, experiences and environments,’ she says.
‘By allowing children to feel connected from an early age, we can help them carry that sense of balance into adulthood. If healing later in life is about rediscovering our most important connections, then perhaps the real task is to ensure that they are never lost in the first place.’
Royal aides said yesterday that given the current national and global conversation about the impact of digital life and distractions on children’s wellbeing, The Princess’ ‘timely’ essay – entirely in her own words – emphasises the need to put early childhood on the global agenda.
‘She reflects that focusing on early brain development and nurturing the whole child should be viewed with the same urgency and sense of mission as other global challenges like climate change – if we truly want to get ahead of these challenges in the future,’ said one.
Christian Guy, Executive Director of The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood said: ‘During Her Royal Highness’s visit to Italy in May, The Princess emphasised the need to put early childhood on the global agenda, treated with the same urgency and sense of mission as other global challenges like climate change. The Centre for Early Childhood is setting out on a bold new global mission to work with organisations around the world, to make this ambition a reality.
‘This essay gives a real insight into how passionately HRH feels about the unique importance of early childhood and its ability to shape society, which is at the heart of all that we do at The Centre for Early Childhood.’
