Kate's Royal Foundation will explore partnering with Melinda French Gates after the Princess held private talks with her in London

Catherine, Princess of Wales, 44, met Melinda French Gates, 62, on 8 October in London for a private working session to explore a formal collaboration between The Royal Foundation and French Gates's philanthropic network Pivotal. The meeting followed an initial encounter at Windsor Castle in June, and focused on supporting young people's wellbeing and development at every life stage. Christian Guy, executive director of The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, confirmed the two organisations will spend coming months exploring practical partnership built on their 'Shaping Us Framework', developed with over 100 human development experts.

Kate separately visited west London mental health charity Dose of Nature last week, meeting founder Dr Alison Greenwood and a former participant now working as a nature guide.

Speaking candidly to him, Kate said nature had been 'so healing' for her too — her most direct public comparison between his journey and her own cancer recovery.

Pivotal, which French Gates founded in 2015, focuses on social progress for women and young people through philanthropy, investment and advocacy across the United States.