The Princess of Wales has kept a promise she made to a grieving mother today as she visited Birmingham alongside Prince William.
Kate, 41, teamed her yellow L.K.Bennett £359 tailored jacket and black trousers with star-shaped earrings given to the royal by Maidenhead Rugby Club coach Sarah Renton.
They were made in memory of Mrs Renton’s daughter, Issy, who tragically took her own life at the age of 17 earlier this year after struggling with depression.
Kate promised to wear the jewellery after receiving them during a trip to the rugby club in June – and she honoured that pledge today when she joined the Prince of Wales, 41, for a public engagement in the West Midlands city to mark World Mental Health Day.
William and Kate hosted a forum for young people – Exploring our Emotional Worlds – focusing on the importance of understanding emotions and building positive relationships.
Kate and William arrive to join young people as they participate in a series of workshops which focus on emotions, relationships and community action at Factory Works in Birmingham
The royal looked animated as she kicked off this afternoon’s engagement to mark Mental Health Week
The couple were introduced to young people ahead of a series of workshops which focus on emotions, relationships and community action
Kate opted for star earrings given to her by Maidenhead Rugby Club coach Sarah Renton
They were made in memory of Mrs Renton’s daughter, Issy, who tragically took her own life at the age of 17 earlier this year. Kate promised to wear the jewellery after receiving them in June during a trip to the mother’s rugby club (pictured)
After meeting Kate earlier this year, Mrs Renton said: ‘My daughter Issy took her own life. The proceeds from the earrings are going to a charity called Brave Minds, a mental health charity that supports children using the platforms of rugby clubs. Mental health is such an important issue.
‘She was wonderful, Issy, a real breath of fresh air. She had wonderful, wonderful friends, surrounded herself with the best people.
‘She was owning life, doing so well in her A levels, she was going to do an elite rugby programme, she payed touch rugby for England and got a gold medal in the summer.
‘But she was also struggling with depression. Everything was harder than it was a supposed to be. We thought she was obviously doing better than she was.’
Mrs Renton added that Kate told her she would wear the earrings in future.
Today’s event featured contributions from TV doctor, Alex George, BBC Radio 1 presenter, Katie Thistleton and the Founding Director of Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, Marc Brackett PhD.
During the outing, Their Royal Highnesses joined young people as they participated in a series of workshops being run in partnership with The Mix, a leading youth mental health charity.
In a rare public speech, the princess spoke of how ‘deeply’ she and William cared about the cause.
The Princess of Wales holds a speech after she participated in a series of workshops in Birmingham
In her speech, Kate (pictured) said: ‘Mental health is something we both care deeply about’
Kate, who has recently shaken up her wardrobe, ditching dresses for trouser suits as she ‘spreads her wings’ in her new role, according to insiders, opted for yet another tailored, clean-cut two-piece today
Kate wore her thick brunette locks in loose curls, hanging down her shoulders, and kept her jewellery simple
Kate speaks to young people as she participates in a series of workshops which focus on emotions, relationships and community action at Factory Works in Birmingham
Kate looked smart in a L.K.Bennett £359 tailored jacket for her joint outing with Prince William
Say cheese! The Prince and Princess of Wales pose for a photograph when in Birmingham
The Prince and Princess of Wales join young people as they participate in a series of workshops which focus on emotions, relationships and community action
In 2016, the couple launched Heads Together, a campaign that helped break the stigma around mental health, and encouraged more people to have everyday conversations about it.
Kate, who was personally keen to speak at the event, told her audience: ‘Alongside the efforts of many others, we have seen real change. Today, more people feel empowered to talk about their mental health than ever before. This is a major step forward.
‘William and I continue to be inspired to see young people, like you all here today, leading this charge – being particularly brave in having some of those conversations yourselves.
‘As a generation, you value and talk more about your mental health than any before you – something we truly admire and applaud.
‘It is important, however, to remind ourselves of the big picture as we meet here today. What are we trying to improve by focusing our efforts on mental health? Ultimately, we are working to build a happier, healthier world.
‘We want to shape fairer, safer, kinder, more equal societies – societies that seek the common good and a better future together.
‘For just as we need to restore, protect, and invest in our planet, so we must also restore, protect, and invest in the communities, relationships and people living on it.’
The princess stressed that talking about mental health is not enough, adding: ‘Although many more conversations are now taking place, it is now vital we spend more time focusing on how we talk about our mental health – and crucially; What are we are going to do, to build positive, preventative solutions to one of today’s toughest challenges.
‘We are living in a world however, that is changing so fast, where social media and concerns about the threat of conflict, pandemics, climate change or the cost of living, can impact our emotional wellbeing and future hopes dramatically.
‘On top of this, as young people, this can also be a time in your lives, when you perhaps feel the vulnerability of growing independence and self-consciousness.
The princess kept her hair in loose curls and opted for a smattering of glamorous makeup
The Prince and Princess of Wales shake hands with Dr Alex George, right, and Nadia Jae, radio presenter, second right,
Their Royal Highnesses, together with The Royal Foundation and in partnership with The Mix and with the support of BBC Radio 1, hosted a forum for young people today
Prince William looked equally statesman-like in a sharp suit today as the royal couple arrived to discuss a subject close to their hearts as they host a forum for young people
Prince William was all smiles as he chatted to people at the Birmingham engagement today
Kate appeared interested as she moved around the room to chat to those in attendance
The beaming Princess of Wales looked typically stylish in her yellow blazer and black trousers
The Princess of Wales appeared animated as she joined Prince William on the outing
‘But, by gaining deeper insight into ourselves, we’ll be better equipped, to handle the external challenges we all encounter.
‘Today we heard the science and research that backs this up, and how crucial it is, that we develop the skills needed to navigate everything we will face in the future.
‘William and I believe we need to do all we can as a society to help young people develop the emotional and social life skills they need for good mental health, and to thrive in the world around them. Together, let’s build a brighter, more resilient future.’
Kate, who has recently shaken up her wardrobe, ditching dresses for trouser suits as she ‘spreads her wings’ in her new role, according to insiders, opted for yet another tailored, clean-cut two-piece today.
Meanwhile Prince William looked equally statesman-like in a sharp suit today as the royal couple arrived to discuss a subject close to their hearts as they host a forum for young people.
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