Their royal highnesses visited Birmingham today - World Mental Health Day - to host a youth workshop.
The Prince and Princess of Wales - William and Kate - teamed up with TV personalities including former Love Islander Dr Alex George for the event at the Factory Works in the Custard Factory in Digbeth.
Kate poignantly wore a pair of earrings given to her by mum Sarah Renton, from Maidenhead, whose daughter, Issy, tragically took her own life at the age of 17 earlier this year.
It is part of a project called Exploring Emotional Worlds, which is being led by the royal couple, and is supported by BBC Radio, in which 100 young people aged 16 to 24 join together for an important conversaiton about how they manage their emotions and how they can be supported to build their resilience.
A survey of 3,000 young people across the UK found that 59% of 16 to 14 year olds think it’s very important for young people to have greater awareness and understanding of social and emotional skills.
In the show, which aired on Radio 1, Radio 1Xtra and the Asian Network at 12.45pm this afternoon and will be repeated at 5.45pm, the Prince of Wales, 40, said mental health has been ‘pushed way down the priority list’ and argued society must ‘find a balance’ that preserves mental wellbeing.
The Princess of Wales added people are much better at acknowledging their mental health these days, but that they still face difficulties in knowing how to deal with it.
Here’s eight photos of Prince William and Princess Kate meeting young people in Birmingham to mark World Mental Health Day:
1. Prince William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales speak to young people as they host a forum to mark World Mental Health Day at Factory Works on October 10, 2023 in Birmingham
2. Prince William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales shake hands with Alex George, (R), and Nadia Jae, radio presenter, (2nd R) as they host a forum to mark World Mental Health Day at Factory Works on October 10, 2023 in Birmingham
3. BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 10: Prince William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales arrive to join young people as they host a forum to mark World Mental Health Day at Factory Works on October 10, 2023 in Birmingham
4. Prince William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales join young people as they participate in a series of workshops which focus on emotions, relationships and community action as they host a forum to mark World Mental Health Day at Factory Works on October 10, 2023 in Birmingham