Kate's secret work experience role

Kate Middleton secretly spent two days this week doing work experience at a London hospital's maternity department, where she shadowed midwives in a surprising new move.

The news comes after Kate wrapped up her work with the maternity unit at Kingston Hospital, where she followed midwives and consultants at work on Tuesday and Wednesday.

It's not exactly common for royals to go on work experience placements, but Kate's time at the hospital is likely tied into her work on a new project aimed at improving early-years support for children and their parents.

With three children of her own, Prince George, six, Princess Charlotte, four, and Prince Louis, 19 months, Kate is working towards improving support for children and parents who don't have the same opportunities she enjoys.

The duchess has already brought together a steering group of experts to help develop a "new body of work" in the area through the Royal Foundation, with Kate supporting the project wholeheartedly.

"There are undoubtedly challenges in trying to bring about the transformation that will make positive change for generations to come, and help break the inter-generational cycle of disadvantage and trauma," Kate wrote in a letter to the steering group earlier this year.

"Yet I am inspired every day by the people I meet and am committed to supporting this endeavour."

The project was kickstarted in May of last year when the group met for the first time, and is expected to continue to grow in 2020.