Kate Middleton has made her first podcast appearance! The Duchess of Cambridge appeared on an episode of Happy Mum, Happy Baby. Early childhood has been a passion point for Kate. Many of her royal patronages focus on improving the early childhood experience for children in the UK and across the Commonwealth.
As a mom of three, Kate has a lot of firsthand experience with the subject as well. Kate reflected on her experiences throughout her discussion with host Giovanna Fletcher. One of the more interesting stories Kate told was when she introduced Prince George for his press debut hours after giving birth for the first time. The tradition is longstanding within the royal family but was admittedly nerve-wracking for the first time mom.
Giving birth to the future King of England was a huge deal, Kate recognized. She felt it was important to let the public be part of that moment after the support they had received.
Kate Middleton is taking her early childhood knowledge to the airwaves! The Duchess of Cambridge appeared on her first podcast, Happy Mum, Happy Baby. During her appearance on the podcast, Kate discussed some of her own experiences as a mom.
Kate touched on many different subjects with host Giovanna Fletcher. She recalled her battle with hyperemesis gravidarum, a form of severe morning sickness, that she experienced during all three of her pregnancies.
"I got very bad morning sickness, so I’m not the happiest of pregnant people," Kate admitted.
"Lots of people have it far, far worse, but it was definitely a challenge," she continued. "Not just for me but also for your loved ones around you, and I think that’s the thing, being pregnant and having a newborn baby and things like that, impacts everybody in the family."
Kate revealed the impact her own battle with hyperemesis gravidarum had on Prince William.
"You know, William didn’t feel he could do much to help and it’s hard for everyone to see you suffering without actually being able to do anything about it," she explained.
"I was really sick. I wasn’t eating the things I should be eating. But yet, the body was still able to take all the goodness from my body and to grow new life, which I think is fascinating."
After her first difficult pregnancy, Kate had another difficult task at hand. Shortly after welcoming her first child, Kate had to introduce the future King of England to the public. "It was slightly terrifying, I'm not going to lie," Kate admitted.
Moms everywhere have long wondered how Kate could come out looking stunning and ready to debut her baby to the world so shortly after giving birth for the first time. Kate explains that she felt it was her duty as a member of the royal family who had birthed the future king.
"Everyone had been so supportive and both William and I were really conscious this was something that everyone was excited about and we were hugely grateful for the support that the public has shown us," she said.
"For us to be able to share that joy and appreciation with the public I felt was really important," she continued. "But equally it was coupled with a newborn baby and inexperienced parents and the uncertainty about what that held so there were all sorts of mixed emotions."
Kate was also "keen to get home" after spending so much time in the hospital throughout the pregnancy.
As the couple, Kate in particular, was "really desperate to get home and get back to normality," they faced another press event. Photographers would watch Prince William load Prince George into his car seat for his first-ever ride home.
"It was quite hard to do that, I think, on the world's stage. But no, he did a very good job," she said.
Kate also talked about her passion regarding early childhood experiences and the work she's done with patronages. Kate revealed what aspects of her own childhood she's incorporating into her own kids' lives.
"One is quality of relationships. So, those moments that you spend with people that are around you," she said.
"I remember that from my own childhood. I had an amazing Granny who devoted a lot of time to us, playing with us, doing arts and crafts and going to the greenhouse to do gardening, and cooking with us, and I try and incorporate a lot of the experiences that she gave us at the time into the experiences that I give my children now," Kate continued. "There are also the environments you spend time in as well: a happy home, a safe environment."
"As children, we spent a lot of time outside and it’s something I’m really passionate about," Kate also noted. "I think it’s so great for physical and mental well-being and laying [developmental] foundations. It’s such a great environment to spend time in, building those quality relationships without the distractions of 'I’ve got to cook' and 'I’ve got to do this'. And actually, it’s so simple."
Kate also chatted about her landmark survey, 5 Big Questions for the Under Fives. The survey aims to begin a national conversation on early childhood issues families are facing as they raise their children.
"I think, ultimately, if you look at who’s caring and looking after and nurturing children in the most vital period from pregnancy all the way to the age of 5, you know parents and carers are right at the heart of that, and families are right at the heart of that," she explained. "And although I’ve spoken to the scientists and the service providers, it’s so important to listen to families. What is it that they aspire to? What are their challenges?"
"What we’re doing with the survey is asking people what is it that matters for them in raising their children today," Kate explained.
"Through our 5 Big Questions, we are bringing together the thoughts of individuals, organizations, and businesses so that we can build the healthiest generation in history by giving every child the best start in life," the survey website explains.
“We want to hear from all adults living across the UK, if you are 16 or above and live in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, whether you have children or not – there are no right or wrong answers, we want to hear what you think.”
The discussion on the podcast showed a different side of Kate. She's her graceful, composed self always, but she was extra relatable as she divulged the details of her own adventures in parenting. This initiative seems like a real game-changer for all the populations she's working with.
