Kate Middleton's push for paid leave earns major praise from charity insider

Kate Middleton is being celebrated for her behind-the-scenes advocacy work, this time for championing better paternity leave for new dads across the UK.

The Princess of Wales, who has long been passionate about early childhood development, has quietly influenced major businesses like Deloitte to implement six months of fully-paid paternity leave for new fathers, matching the time traditionally given to new mothers.

Her efforts have now been publicly praised by Alex Lloyd-Hunter, co-founder of The Dad Shift, a charity campaigning for fairer paternity rights.

“Just last week we were outside Buckingham Palace hanging up baby grows spelling ‘Two weeks isn’t enough’, so we’re delighted to learn the Princess of Wales has been championing good paternity leave behind the scenes,” Lloyd-Hunter said.

Calling Kate's work a "powerful example" of leadership, he urged UK ministers to follow her lead.

“It’s good to see more and more companies realising that better paternity leave is in their interest,” he said. 

“But the vast majority of smaller businesses can’t afford this. Right now, new dads in the UK get just two weeks at less than half the minimum wage and nothing at all if you're self-employed.”

“That’s why we need urgent government action… The Princess has shown real leadership on this issue, now it’s time for ministers to follow her example.”

Her advocacy would have directly impacted her own family, too. 

Prince William previously revealed that he received just two weeks of paternity leave following the birth of Princess Charlotte while working as a Search and Rescue helicopter pilot.

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