Princess of Wales meets children undergoing brain research ahead of first royal tour since cancer treatment

The Princess of Wales, a long-time advocate for early years care, has met with children undergoing brain development research.

Kate was introduced to three-year-old Mikail and his mother, Safia, at the University of East London's "magic box" room - where families can interact through a screen and use brain recording techniques to track how a baby's living conditions influence early stress.

Accompanied by professor Amanda Broderick, vice chancellor of UEL, the princess asked Mikail after the activity: "Was that fun? Did you enjoy doing that?"

She added: "You've been playing games with mummy through that screen."

When Mikail, who was wearing a yellow cap with sensors for the experiment, said he wanted to remove it, the princess asked him: "You want to take it off? Is it sticky? Is it itchy?"

Mikhail told her "it's hurting", before smiling and saying: "It's tickling me."

In another room, the princess spoke with Ashleigh and her three children, Ella, five, Ava, two, and Mia, one.

Joined by the institute's director professor Sam Wass, Kate told Ashleigh: "You've done an amazing job."

She also said: "What we are really hoping to do is try and make that easier for families, for mums and all parents, really, to try and have access to that really important information and that guidance but in a more agile and tangible way."

Kate's visit coincided with the release of a new guide for people working with babies, young children and their families - a milestone step for the princess's Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood.

The 109-page Foundations for Life helpbook by the centre emphasises how responsive relationships can shape children's lifelong health and wellbeing.

The Centre for Early Childhood was founded by Kate in 2021 to raise awareness of the importance of early years experiences and to commission research.

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As part of her work with the foundation, the princess will make her first overseas royal visit since her cancer treatment this month.

Kate will visit the city of Reggio Emilia in northern Italy for two days from 13 to 14 May to focus on early years child development.

During her trip, the princess will learn more about the Reggio Emilia Approach, an educational philosophy which focuses on the idea that children have the potential for self-development.

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