Kate Middleton Says She Was 'Naive' as a Parent Kate Middleton is coming clean about her early years as a mom. The Duchess of Cambridge made her remarks at the Mental Health in Education conference. The 37-year-old prepared an impromptu speech regarding mental health and child-rearing. Kate Middleton, at Mental Health in Education conference Kate Middleton, at Mental Health in Education conference The Duchess emphasized that the first few years of a child’s life are imperative to their development.