With the London Marathon just days away, efforts have been intensifying in the run up to the big day. Today, the Duchess of Cambridge hosted Team Heads Together runners at Kensington Palace.
Kensington Palace said "Heads Together is spearheaded by the Duke and Duchess and Prince Harry, in partnership with eight leading mental health charities that are tackling stigma, raising awareness, and providing vital help for people with mental health problems. They are highlighting the power of conversations, how being able to talk openly about mental health challenges, can be life-changing. Through this campaign, Their Royal Highnesses are keen to build on the great work that is already taking place across the country, to ensure that people feel comfortable with their everyday mental wellbeing, feel able to support their friends and families through difficult times, and that stigma no longer prevents people getting the help they need."
Kate met eight-year-old Bella Rodway and asked her "Do you talk about your feelings to anyone? You need to lead the way with your friends. Even if you are not feeling good or worried about stuff."
Talk very quickly turned to Harry's open interview over the weekend (more on that below), with Kate agreeing he is a hero to a lot of people. More from The Telegraph:Kensington Palace said "Heads Together is spearheaded by the Duke and Duchess and Prince Harry, in partnership with eight leading mental health charities that are tackling stigma, raising awareness, and providing vital help for people with mental health problems. They are highlighting the power of conversations, how being able to talk openly about mental health challenges, can be life-changing. Through this campaign, Their Royal Highnesses are keen to build on the great work that is already taking place across the country, to ensure that people feel comfortable with their everyday mental wellbeing, feel able to support their friends and families through difficult times, and that stigma no longer prevents people getting the help they need."
Kate met eight-year-old Bella Rodway and asked her "Do you talk about your feelings to anyone? You need to lead the way with your friends. Even if you are not feeling good or worried about stuff."
'Asked about Prince Harry's candid interview, in which he spoke of having counselling to come to terms with his mother's death, she said: “We all felt there was very much a campaign to get everyone talking and have these conversations. We’ve got to do the same, you know, so he’s been brilliant."
Jamie Moloy, a headteacher, told the Duchess at the event: “What I love is your brother-in-law talking the other day, because that's just ignited it". He added Prince Harry was now a "real hero to a lot of people". “Absolutely," the Duchess replied.'
Kate revealed one of 70 Royal Mail post-boxes that will be wrapped with Heads Together headbands on the London Marathon route.
The Duchess helped runner Alex Stanley put the headband on.
In fact, the headbands are decorating some of London's biggest landmarks ahead of the marathon. The photo below was taken at St. Paul's Cathedral.
Battersea Power Station.
Kate speaks with Royal Mail CEO Moya Greene, who spoke of her company's support of the campaign, "As a large employer, we recognise that we have a big role to play in tackling the stigma surrounding mental health. Although we have made some positive steps, there is still a long way to go. Like Sunday's race, this is a marathon. We need to build on the good work we have done so far, and that means helping to address this issue within the local communities that we serve every single day. I'm proud that we are using our iconic postboxes to support Heads Together and this important campaign."
Heads Together tweeted this photo of the runners at the Palace.
Heads Together want to make this year’s London Marathon the first ever ‘mental health marathon’ and get the country talking about mental health. Whatever cause they are supporting, all the marathon runners will be able to take part in the ‘mental health marathon’ by wearing the Heads Together headband that will be given to them when they collect their race number.
Other topics discussed included the difficulties of motherhood. Back to the Mail Online's story:
'Kate also met DJ Neev Spencer - who suffered post natal depression after the birth of her daughter, Genevieve, now nine months. Kate told her: 'Nothing can prepare you for motherhood - especially the first time round, the mixed emotions.'
Neev said afterwards: 'Kate was just so lovely. She was really genuine. I felt comfortable enough to share my experience with her. She was agreeing with me on all the points about how tough being a mum is at the beginning. She must understand from when she had George.' Describing her depression, she said: 'I felt like everyone was much better with her than me. I couldn't pick her up - I couldn't move. I just went low. That's when the post natal depression started. I didn't think I was up to the job.'
Kate talked with the runners about their reasons for participating in the marathon and wished them luck for Sunday.
Kate's new stripe top is by Luisa Spagnoli (with thanks to Japanese Ginger for the ID).
Of course, we're all familiar with the brand as the designer of Kate's much loved red skirt suit. It's a firm staple in her closet making appearances at events from a pre-wedding engagement at St. Andrews in 2011 to Christchurch in 2014 and most recently the Duchess wore it in February for a Place2Be event encouraging kindness.
Clearly a fan of the brand, Kate has added their Muvi Pullover to her collection of stripe tops and sweaters. The sweater is composed of 100% pure new wool and features a scoop neck and long sleeves. It's available in two colorways for $280. Kate's white, navy and red sweater isn't available on the website.
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| Luisa Spagnoli |
A look at the back of the sweater and the distinctive LS Logo.
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| Luisa Spagnoli |
Kate teamed the look with her Superga Cotu Sneakers. They are are described as: "The textured contrast sole sets off the low-profile design, and the label and logo-embossed eyelets lend branded appeal." They are available in a number of colours at ShopBop and Nordstrom.
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| ShopBop |
Kate accessorised with her Kiki McDonough Citrine drop earrings.
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| Kiki McDonough |
What do you think of Kate's casual look today?
On another note entirely, the Duchess was wearing a mic today, though I'm not aware of why she would have needed it for the engagement. Perhaps footage was recorded for future use? There's an excellent video from the event at ITN Source and thanks to the mic we can hear Kate perfectly. It's great to hear her interacting with runners especially towards the end when she chats with DJ Neeve Spencer about motherhood and feeling very casually dressed. With thanks to Monique for mentioning it in her comment!
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There's also been a flurry of activity from William and Harry in recent days in support of Heads Together. This has included sharing their own mental health struggles related to the loss of their mother. Prince Harry very bravely spoke to Bryony Gordon about the 'years of total chaos' he endured while struggling to come to terms with the loss of his mother in his twenties. Harry said he "shut down all emotions" for almost two decades, felt "on the verge of punching someone" and suffered anxiety during engagements. Harry admitted he was "close to a breakdown" on numerous occasions. With encouragement from William, he sought counselling at 28. Harry's in a much better place now and said he "finally feels able to take his private life seriously". He also spoke about how much he would love to have children. It's such an incredibly honest, open and courageous interview. In my opinion, it's a defining moment for Heads Together and could inspire so many others to share their issues.
'Was this really happening? I mean really really? Were we finally living in an era where even a representative of one of the most buttoned-up, traditional institutions on the planet might feel able to talk about the troubles in their head?
To call it a watershed moment might sound dramatic. But not to anyone who has ever had to suffer the complexities of mental illness in stifled, suffocating silence.'
William and Harry gave an exclusive interview to CALMzine. The royal brothers’ interview is part of CALMzine’s special ‘Marathon Issue’, released ahead of the 2017 Virgin Money London Marathon. CALMzine is published by one of the Heads Together charity partners, the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), which is dedicated to preventing male suicide. During the interview William said "Catherine, Harry and I are clear that we want both George and Charlotte to grow up feeling able to talk about their feelings". He added "There be a time and a place for the 'stiff upper lip', but not at the expense of your health". Harry reflected on his time in the military "You’ll do anything for each other, scrub each other’s boots, drag each other through the mud, anything. Yet, on the other hand, this support for each other hasn’t included looking after how your buddy is feeling and thinking about things." You can read the full interview here.
The #OktoSay video series continues with people from all walks of life discussing how opening up about their issues was a vital step in their journey. In something a little different, the Palace posted a video of Prince William chatting to Lady Gaga about mental health on FaceTime. Last year the singer revealed she lives with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in an open letter. During their conversation, William told her he was hugely impressed with the openness displayed in the letter and that it is time "to feel normal about mental health - it's the same as physical health". The Prince and Lady Gaga also made plans to meet in the UK in October to discuss how they can do more to tackle the stigma.
On a slightly off-topic note, it's always a treat to see a peek inside Kensington Palace. Our lovely reader Sara shared screenshots of the photos on the table which included one of the photos of William, Kate and George taken by Michael Middleton. There's also an unreleased wedding photo of William and Kate, a fun picture of William and Harry wearing glasses (which looks to be taken from a shoot some years ago) and a picture of Widgeon, a Labrador William when he was young (with thanks to Cepe).
Prince William attended a screening of BBC documentary 'Mind Over Marathon' yesterday. The two-part documentary follows a group of runners affected by mental health issues as they prepare for the marathon. The royals will also feature in the programme. After viewing, a visibly moved William said "Wow, yeah. I'm speechless actually. I'm quite emotional. So I am just going to take a minute to calm myself down." William told runners "You are all so special. You should be incredibly proud of what you have achieved. Hearing any of you talk badly about yourselves makes me very, very upset because you are so special". William's words to the runners are really very powerful, you can see how moved he is by their stories, it's another very important moment in the campaign.
More from Richard Palmer:
He said, adding that in his charity work so much of the problems affecting people boiled down to similar issues: "I have my own reasons for being involved in mental health - what happened to me with my mother when I was younger.
Earlier chatting informally to some of the participants about the battles they have all faced with depression, anxiety, grief or other issues, the second in line to the throne made what appeared to be another reference to Harry. "It all comes back down to mental health." In what appeared to be a veiled reference to his brother's admission that he had been close to a complete breakdown on numerous occasions, the Duke of Cambridge said: "The more we have influential and very important people speaking about their issues and their battles, the better. "As we have seen, a lot of it is left from when you are young. It's a crucial area."
In his speech on stage, William told the runners who appear in the two-part documentary starting at 9pm on BBC One on Thursday: "I'm just so proud of what you have all achieved there." They are running in Sunday's marathon for his, Kate and Harry's Heads Together mental health campaign and William told his audience: "I really think this is a pivotal moment in the change in mental health. I really feel we are on the cusp of something big."
The Telegraph reports:
William told Rhian Burke, 39, who suffered the double loss of her one-year-old son and husband within days of each other, that her son and daughter would be well looked after as she would "provide the blanket of stability and understanding that they need." Speaking about the death of his mother Diana, Princess of Wales, he told her: "I still feel, you know, 20 years later about my mother, I still have shock within me - 20 years later."
This morning, Prince Harry, in his role as patron of the London Marathon Charitable Trust, officially opened the London Marathon Expo. Harry handed out race numbers and thanked runners for helping to make a difference. As you can see in the video below, Harry had a little extra help cutting the ribbon (he unexpectedly invited adorable Melissa to join him). Before leaving, he left a message for the runners, "Good luck guys. Smash it".
The ribbon is cut, and the 2017 @LondonMarathon Expo is officially opened by Prince Harry (with a little extra help!) pic.twitter.com/XxAXHe8k7E— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) April 19, 2017
And Harry spoke to ITV News saying he hopes Princess Diana would be proud of him for speaking out on mental health:
'He told ITV News it may not be "the norm" for royals to openly discuss the issue. "But if our experiences and sharing those experiences can reduce the stigma (of mental health) for the UK then that's where the service bit comes in. It is incredibly important for us."
Asked whether his mother would be proud of the Heads Together campaign, which him and PrinceWilliam front, Harry said: "I hope so. I think she would be proud of the campaign, proud of everybody involved, proud of us. But specifically proud of the UK for having this conversation." Harry said the appetite had "always been there" for discussions on mental health, but that he was surprised by the amount of positive feedback. "From her [Diana's] perspective, she would be overwhelmed and hugely encouraged by the fact that the UK has sudden got to this point - and it's only taken a year," he said. "And specifically this week has really energised the whole nation."
It's already been a very special week full of memorable moments. If you have time to watch the videos shared above, I would very much encourage you to do so. I now feel, not only do we have a much better understanding of how much this campaign means to the royals, but as we suspected how personal it is. I believe William and Harry's struggles after the loss of their mother are a driving factor in their decision to tackle the stigma. In a way, Heads Together has provided an outlet for them to finally speak about the pain, shock and anger they still feel today.
There's been amazing press coverage too, with news of a snap election in June, I do hope it continues to garner as many column inches as possible in the days ahead.
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| The Telegraph/Daily Mail |
William, Kate and Harry will officially open The Global Academy tomorrow.
