...By Gift BADEWO for TDPel Media.
A Royal Visit with a Purpose
In her continued quest to uplift the welfare of future generations, the Princess of Wales, Catherine, graced the Foundling Museum with her presence.
As a part of her ongoing mission, the Princess centers her efforts around building strong, nurturing relationships for children who have faced early life traumas, adversity, and loss.
The Princess’ Mission: Healing Through Connection
Making her way to London, Princess Catherine’s visit highlights the increased necessity of cultivating loving and robust relationships for children who have endured early life hardships.
Her focus stems from the belief that supportive networks and positive relationships can be pivotal for these young individuals.
The Foundling Museum, of which Her Royal Highness is a patron, was the setting where she engaged in heartfelt discussions with young adults who spent their lives in care systems, as well as with foster carers and adoptive parents.
The central theme of these discussions was the invaluable role of supportive networks in fostering positive relationships for children.
Encouraging Expression Through Creativity
In a unique blending of the arts and royalty, English rapper, Professor Green, joined the Princess in her dialogue with young care leavers.
These individuals, assisted by the Foundling Museum, are participants in a creative writing programme that facilitates the expression of their emotions.
Professor Green, who himself was raised by his grandmother, is among Catherine’s ‘Shaping Us’ champions, contributing to the larger mission.
Launching ‘Shaping Us’: A Campaign for Early Childhood Development
Earlier this year, Princess Catherine unveiled The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood’s ‘Shaping Us’ campaign.
This initiative takes a long-term perspective to underline the profound impact that the initial five years of a child’s life can have on their future wellbeing.
The campaign leans on scientific research that indicates addiction and mental health issues can often trace their origins to a poor early life start.
The ambitious goal of ‘Shaping Us’ is to elevate the discourse around early childhood development, making it “one of the most strategically important topics of our time.”
Controversy Amid the Royal Visit
Despite the high spirits and noble cause, the visit was not without controversy.
As the Princess arrived and departed, a lone protestor from London displayed signs bearing messages such as “monarchy is child abuse” and “#BornEqual.”
In an interview with GB News, the woman protestor explained her perspective, arguing that instilling in children the belief that they are “inferior” and will “never be as good” as the Royal Family constitutes a form of abuse.
The lone voice of dissent, however, was outnumbered by the presence of more than 30 loyal royal fans.
