Kate Middleton has released stills from a short film that's part of her Shaping Us early years campaign, as she pledges that the initiative will provide parents with the 'very best information and support' needed to raise their children.

Speaking at the central London venue, the royal gave a speech in which she highlighted the 'critical importance' of the first five years of a child's life and its influence on their future.

Kate was joined by husband William and a host of celebrity supporters at the evening event staged at BAFTA's London HQ on Monday, with former Saturdays singer Rochelle Humes, rapper Professor Green, presenter Fearne Cotton and England football captain Leah Williamson among the guests.

In her speech at the event, the Princess said: 'The campaign is fundamentally about shining a spotlight on the critical importance of early childhood and how it shapes the adults we become.

The princess hopes the campaign, which features a short film (pictured) will influence attitudes towards children in the early years of their lives

Kate outlined the scope of the campaign, describing it as a long-term project beginning with how a child develops and the importance of the formative years.