Kate Middleton's secret meeting with Bill Gates' ex-wife to advance 'life's work'

The Princess of Wales met with Bill Gates' ex-wife and philanthropist, Melinda French, on 8 October to discuss a "shared belief". 

During their meeting, Catherine spoke to Melinda, the founder of Pivotal, a group of organisations focused on accelerating social progress and expanding opportunities for women and young people, about collaborating with The Royal Foundation to help young people flourish. She was pictured smiling in a black suit and white top as she chatted with Melinda, who wore a maroon knitted midi dress.

The Princess of Wales' philanthropic work in recent years has focused heavily on early childhood and youth development with the launch of The Royal Foundation for Early Childhood in 2021 as part of the Royal Foundation. 

Christian Guy, Executive Director of The Royal Foundation for Early Childhood, reflected on the importance of helping young people "build the foundations for life". 

"Building on the work of Heads Together, The Centre for Early Childhood, Pivotal's focus in the United States and the efforts of many others across the field, we considered what more could be done to strengthen young people's wellbeing, belonging and ability to thrive throughout life."

He added: "What gave the session particular energy was a shared belief that while today's children face considerable challenges, they also carry extraordinary potential. With supportive relationships, a sense of belonging and opportunities to discover who they are and what they might contribute, every young person can build the confidence, resilience and sense of purpose they need for the future. 

"We are so grateful for the vision, ambition and commitment that both The Princess and Melinda bring to this work. Their leadership reflects a belief that change is possible, and that investing in the healthy development of children and young people is one of the most powerful investments we can make for our world today and tomorrow."

"Over the coming months, partnering with Melinda and Pivotal, we will be exploring how The Royal Foundation might build on this work in practical ways," he continued. "At a time of division, disconnection and uncertainty, it has never been more important to help young people build the foundations for life."

Princess Catherine's 'life's work'

The foundation's first major campaign, Shaping Us, was once described as Catherine's "life's work". 

The initiative, launched in 2023, aimed at raising awareness of the crucial period of a child's development, from pregnancy to the age of five.

In a video posted to the Prince and Princess of Wales' socials on 16 October, Catherine announced the launch of a new project with the foundation, exploring how nature can support social and emotional development in babies and young children.

"New scientific research shows just how important nature is for our physical and psychological wellbeing. Nature is such an extraordinary environment for us all and in this tech-driven, digital age, spending time outdoors has never been more important," the royal said. 

"My hope is through this practical nature-based research, we can build supportive environments that make nature more accessible, benefiting babies, young children, and their families across the UK."