Overview
- Speaking at the inaugural Future Workforce Summit in London on November 18, the Princess of Wales called on companies to value “time and tenderness” alongside productivity.
- The Royal Foundation Business Taskforce for Early Childhood convened about 80 corporate leaders at Salesforce Tower, with Mishal Husain moderating and contributions from experts including Gareth Southgate and Marc Brackett.
- Taskforce members include Unilever, Ikea, Aviva, Deloitte, Co‑op, Lego, Amazon, Kellogg’s and NatWest, reflecting a broad private‑sector coalition.
- Reported outcomes cited at the summit include Deloitte’s expanded parental leave, NatWest financing pledges for the early‑years sector, Ikea support for baby banks and Lego kit donations across the UK.
- The initiative reports reaching more than half a million babies and children to date, and Kate’s appearance marked a public return after her 2024 cancer diagnosis and remission announced in early 2025.