Today, The Royal Foundation hosted an online event: 'What the UK thinks about the Early Years: A Forum to Launch The Royal Foundation's Landmark Study on the Early Years', during which The Duchess of Cambridge delivered a Keynote Address.

During the speech, Her Royal Highness spoke of her ambition to put the Early Years on an equal footing with the other great social challenges and opportunities of our time.

The speech comes as The Duchess unveiled the findings of the biggest ever UK study on the early years, in a milestone moment for her work on the importance of early childhood in shaping the rest of our lives and broader societal outcomes. The research, commissioned by The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and conducted by Ipsos MORI, reveals what the UK thinks about the early years. It includes the findings of the #5BigQuestions survey which attracted over half a million responses earlier this year, making it the biggest ever survey of its kind.

She said: "We must do all we can to tackle these issues and to elevate the importance of the early years, so that together we can build a more nurturing society. Because I believe, the early years should be on par with the other great social challenges and opportunities of our time. And next year, we will announce ambitious plans to support this objective.”

To find out more, visit www.royalfoundation.com