'THEY COULD BE A REAL FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH'

EXPERTS PREDICT KATE, PRINCESS OF WALES AND PIPPA MIDDLETON'S SHARED PASSION FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT COULD BRING ABOUT BIG CHANGES

- REBECCA RUSSELL

The long summer holiday will have provided the Princess of Wales with the opportunity to catch up with friends and family. And one name sure to feature heavily in her diary is her sister Pippa, who has been by her side since the very beginning of Kate's royal journey. Indeed, from the moment Kate's relationship with Prince William became public knowledge, it's Pippa who could be trusted as a loyal confidante.

Just a year apart in age, the sisters have gone from living together in a flat in Chelsea, enjoying nights out at the most fashionable clubs, to both settling into happy marriages as mothers to three young children.

Pippa herself has confirmed that they have a strong sisterly bond and often turn to one another for opinions. This support, coming from outside the confines of court life, is sure to be hugely valued by Kate, says former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond.

"By dint of her position, the number of people Kate can trust with her thoughts and experiences of royal life has inevitably shrunk," Jennie reveals. "To know that what you say won't end up in the papers is a gift that's unmatched for members of the royal family."

In the 12 years since Kate joined the Firm, she has become a leading voice in the field of early years development and children's mental health. It's a passion that she shares with Pippa and, if the pair collaborated in the future, there's every possibility that they could be a combined respected force in that field, according to experts.

Kate launched The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood last year, set up the successful "Big 5" survey to ask the public for their views on early childhood, and has unveiled the Shaping Us campaign, which highlights the important role our early childhood plays in shaping the adults we grow into.