Kate Middleton jokes she needs 'expert' help to deal with her children's temper tantrums

The Duchess of Cambridge joked that she would "like to ask the experts" for advice on handling her children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis' temper tantrums during a rare Q&A on Saturday.

• Kate answered questions from members of the public after insights from her '5 Big Questions on the Under Fives' survey were published on Friday
• Kate has spent time looking into early years development and how problems such as addiction and family breakdown can be traced back to childhood experiences
• It follows royal news that Prince George and his siblings are missing their "great granny" the Queen in second lockdown 

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When asked during the session: "How do you manage toddler tantrums in your household – especially with multiple children?" 

Kate replied: "Yes, that's a hard one", before laughing and saying: "I'd also like to ask the experts myself."

The royal even opened up about her own childhood after being asked: "What did you like most in your childhood?"

"That's a very good question," started Kate. "I loved spending time outside and that has stuck with me for my whole life."

The Duchess was also asked what sparked her interest in the Early Years, to which she replied: "I actually get asked this question a lot. I think people assume because I am a parent, that's why I've taken an interest in the Early Years.

"I think this really is bigger than that. This isn't about – just about – happy healthy children, this is about the society I hope we could and can become."

In the video shared by Kensington Palace, Kate defined the early years as being those from pregnancy "through to the age of five", to when children start school.

She added: "Right from the early days, meeting lots of people who are suffering with addiction or poor mental health, and hearing time and time again that their troubles now in adulthood stem right back from early childhood experience."

The 5 Big Questions survey – which attracted more than half-a-million participants, the largest-ever response to a survey of its kind – is part of a major body of research commissioned by The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and conducted by Ipsos MORI.

The research also includes surveys conducted before and during the pandemic, to assess the impact of the health crisis on families.