The Duchess of Cambridge has paid tribute to her ‘amazing granny’ and said she is trying to share her childhood experiences with George, Charlotte and Louis.

The royal has recorded her first podcast and said that time spent with her grandmother during her younger years ‘really stood out’ for her.

She told author and podcast host Giovanna Fletcher: ‘I had an amazing granny who devoted a lot of time to us, playing with us, doing arts and crafts and going to the greenhouse to do gardening, and cooking with us.

‘And I try and incorporate a lot of the experiences that she gave us at the time into the experiences that I give my children now.’

It is not clear whether Kate was referring to maternal grandmother Dorothy Harrison or Valerie Middleton, her father’s mum who was a codebreaker during the war.

The Duchess was speaking about her views on a parenting podcast due to air on Saturday afternoon.

The episode looks at the Five Big Questions On The Under Fives, which is a survey launched by Kate in January to spark a UK-wide conversation about creating the best foundations for children to thrive.

The month-long online poll, conducted by Ipsos Mori on behalf of Kate’s Royal Foundation, is thought to be the biggest survey of its kind and the data will guide the duchess’ future work.

The Five Big questions on the Under-Fives has now attracted 200,000 responses.

The Duchess said: ‘What we’re doing with the survey is asking people – what is it that matters for them in raising their children today.

‘It’s going to take a long time, I’m talking about a generational change, but hopefully this is the first small step: to start a conversation around the importance of early childhood development.

‘It’s not just about happy, healthy children. This is for lifelong consequences and outcomes.’

Kate said a ‘happy home’ and a ‘safe environment’ were also aspects of her childhood she wanted to provide her own children with.

‘As children, we spent a lot of time outside and it’s something I’m really passionate about. I think it’s so great for physical and mental wellbeing and laying (developmental) foundations,’ Kate said.

‘It’s such a great environment to spend time in, building those quality relationships without the distractions of “I’ve got to cook” and “I’ve got to do this”. And actually, it’s so simple.’

Ms Fletcher said: ‘It doesn’t matter who you are, what you have, or where you come from – we’re all trying to do our best with our children while continuously doubting our decisions and wondering if we’re getting it completely wrong. Talking helps unite us all.’

She said Kate seemed ‘passionate’ about the subject and it was ‘beyond wonderful to sit and talk further about the survey, her work – for which she has so much knowledge, and her own experiences of being a mother.’

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