Duchess of Cambridge praises 'amazing granny' in first podcast interview
Kate says the time with her grandmother "really stood out" and she wants her children to have similar experiences.
Saturday 15 February 2020 07:06, UK
The Duchess of Cambridge praised her "amazing granny" as she spoke openly about her childhood while taking part in her first podcast.
Kate told the Happy Mum, Happy Baby special that she wants her own children - George, Charlotte and Louis - to have similar experiences.
The future queen told podcast host Giovanna Fletcher that the time she spent with her grandmother as a child "really stood out".
She said: "I had an amazing granny who devoted a lot of time to us, playing with us, doing arts and crafts and going to the greenhouse to do gardening, and cooking with us.
"And I try and incorporate a lot of the experiences that she gave us at the time into the experiences that I give my children now."
The episode looks at the Five Big Questions On The Under Fives, a survey in January to spark a conversation about the best foundations for children to thrive.
It now has 200,000 responses.
Kate discussed her views on the podcast following a visit to the London Early Years Foundation (LEYF) Stockwell Gardens Nursery and Pre-School in Lambeth, south London.
Kate also met children and parents - and a snake - at Ark Open Farm, near Belfast on Wednesday, as part of her UK tour.
She said: "What we're doing with the survey is asking people, what is it that matters for them in raising their children today.
"It's going to take a long time, I'm talking about a generational change, but hopefully this is the first small step: to start a conversation around the importance of early childhood development.
"It's not just about happy, healthy children. This is for lifelong consequences and outcomes."
Kate said a "happy home" and a "safe environment" were also aspects of her childhood she wanted to give her own children.
"As children, we spent a lot of time outside and it's something I'm really passionate about.
"I think it's so great for physical and mental well-being and laying (developmental) foundations.
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"It's such a great environment to spend time in, building those quality relationships without the distractions of 'I've got to cook' and 'I've got to do this'."And actually, it's so simple."
Giovanna, who has three children of her own with husband, McFly singer Tom Fletcher, said the episode was a "very special podcast" and that she was excited for people to hear it.
She said: "It doesn't matter who you are, what you have, or where you come from - we're all trying to do our best with our children while continuously doubting our decisions and wondering if we're getting it completely wrong.
"Talking helps unite us all."
Happy Mum, Happy Baby is available from 4pm on 15 February.