Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, is making a gradual return to her royal duties following abdominal surgery, focusing on a project aimed at enhancing the well-being of newborns. The Duchess’s efforts are highlighted by her work on an early childhood initiative, which includes funding a trial of the Alarm Distress Baby Scale (ADBS), an observational tool designed to monitor infants’ social development. The initiative, supported by her Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, has received positive feedback from health visitors and is anticipated to support more families across the UK.

Amidst her recovery, the Duchess has been subject to controversies. One involves a breach of her medical privacy, with three staff members at the London Clinic, where she was treated, suspended due to allegedly attempting to access her medical records. Additionally, the Duchess has faced public scrutiny following a BBC sports reporter’s skeptical comments on social media about a video featuring her and Prince William, leading to a divide in public opinion and discussions on privacy and respect.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and the Archbishop of Canterbury have both publicly defended the Duchess’s right to privacy during her recovery, emphasizing the need for the public and commentators to refrain from speculative and intrusive discussions.

The Duchess’s commitment to improving early childhood experiences remains strong as she prepares to resume her full royal duties after Easter. Her dedication to this cause was established long before her surgery, notably with the founding of the Centre for Early Childhood in 2021 alongside Prince William.