Kate Middleton on Motherhood: “Your Fundamental Identity Changes Overnight”

Even when you’re royalty, motherhood has its challenges.

The Duchess of Cambridge addressed some of those challenges while introducing the documentary series Out of the Blue — which tackles “mental health during the early years of parenthood” — in London,  Us Weekly reports.

“Personally, becoming a mother has been such a rewarding and wonderful experience. However, at times it has also been a huge challenge — even for me who has support at home that most mothers do not,” Kate said. “Nothing can really prepare you for the sheer overwhelming experience of what it means to become a mother.”

That’s for sure.

Kate got real about her own experience in adjusting to her most important role: being a mom to three-year-old George and Charlotte, 22 months. “It is full of complex emotions of joy, exhaustion, love and worry, all mixed together,” she said. “Your fundamental identity changes overnight. You go from thinking of yourself as primarily an individual to suddenly being a mother, first and foremost.”

While recognizing that she has more resources as her disposal, Kate pointed out that no mom is doing it perfectly — a fact that weighs more heavily on some. “You just have to make it up and do the very best you can to care for your family. For many mothers, myself included, this can, at times lead to lack of confidence and feelings of ignorance,” she said. “Sadly, for some mothers, this experience can be made so much harder due to challenges with their own mental health.”

Kate also urged the community to look after mothers who may be struggling, and those with postpartum depression to raise their voice. “[It] should not be seen as a sign of weakness. Mothers take on an overwhelming responsibility of caring for their families,” she said. “Their role is vital in providing unconditional love, care and support at home, particularly in the early years of a child’s development. We therefore should do everything we can to support and value their hard work.”

It is wonderful that women like Kate and Chrissy Teigen are using their platforms to help lift any stigma surrounding postpartum depression and moms’ challenges in general.