Princess Kate quietly returns to work as her first project after surgery laid bare

By Catherine Meyer-Funnell, Royal Reporter based in London

Kate Middleton on her interest in early years development in 2020

Princess Kate's first project back at work has been revealed, as Kensington Palace confirmed she has been working from home on her early years campaign.

Kate's Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood has been involved in funding the trial of a baby observation tool, which is to be used by health visitors to improve how they spot signs of social and emotional development in young children.

The Princess previously visited Denmark to observe a similar system over there, and now she has been investing in a four-month long trial in the UK, with the results due to be published today.

The results have reportedly been overwhelmingly positive, with a spokesperson for the Palace saying: "The Princess has been kept updated throughout the process."

Kate has been recovering at home in Windsor since her abdominal surgery in January, but she is due to return to royal life sometime over the next few weeks.

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Princess Kate has continued to work on her early years project (Image: Getty)

It is thought she may attend the Easter Sunday service at Windsor on March 31 with the rest of the family, however her official royal duties will most likely resume after April 17.

This is the date when her children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis return to school, as she and Prince William like to take holidays off to be with their family.

The statement from Kensington Palace is the first official update regarding Kate's early years work since her surgery was announced, as she has had to postpone many engagements.

Kate on an early years visit to Denmark (Image: Getty)

Kate and William were filmed last Saturday visiting a farm shop close to their home at Adelaide Cottage, with an onlooker telling TMZ she looked "happy and relaxed".

The Princess of Wales has made early years development her life's work, having established the Centre for Early Childhood in 2021 as part of her and William's Royal Foundation.

Writing in The Telegraph in 2022, Kate explained how fundamental the first five years of a child's life are to ensuring a "healthier and happier society".

The Princess is dedicated to improving the lives of children (Image: Getty)

She wrote: "There are fantastic examples of what can be achieved when we recognise the unique potential of early childhood and build a safe and loving world around a child.

"But not enough is being done. If we are going to tackle the sorts of complex challenges we face today like homelessness, violence and addiction, which are so often underpinned by poverty and poor mental health, we have to fully appreciate those most preventative years and do everything we can to nurture our children and those who care for them."

Kate has also opened about her own difficulties in becoming a mother, as she told a father during a visit to the Orchards Centre in Kent last year about her experience with hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe type of morning sickness.