Kate Middleton delivers powerful speech as patron of Maternal Mental Health Alliance - watch

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Kate Middleton has spoken openly about the "challenges" and "loneliness" of birth and raising children in their younger years as she announced her latest patronage with Maternal Mental Health Alliance.The Duchess of Cambridge, 40, who has a sweet baking tradition with her three children, has long been passionate about awareness for family support and the importance of children's early years, and as Maternal Mental Health Awareness week arrives on May 10, she has shared an important video detailing her work for the cause going forward.

Wearing a stunning blue floral dress for the poignant statement, the Duchess began by saying while the birth of a child is one of life's "greatest gifts", it can also be one of "the most challenging times" for families.The mum-of-three shares children Prince George, eight, Princess Charlotte, seven, and Prince Louis, four, with her husband Prince William.

Get exclusive celebrity stories and fabulous photoshoots straight to your inbox with OK!'s daily newsletter .The powerful video saw the Duchess go on to say that families should not face the difficulties of childbirth and raising children "alone", as she insisted that this year's Maternal Mental Health Alliance week is about the "power and importance of connection". "The past couple of years have reminded us just how much we need each other, and how vital our relationships are to our longterm health and happiness," the Duchess continued. "This starts in the earliest years of our lives, when we need close and continuous care from the people around us, to nurture our development, and ensure that we get the right start in life. "But we all know that pregnancy, childbirth and the first months and years of a child's life can be hugely.