The young royal trinity of William, Kate and Harry today rode on the London Eye—a giant Ferris wheel on the River Thames—to mark World Mental Health Day.
Prince William, Duchess Kate and Prince Harry have championed mental health as their primary cause since taking on the joint patronage of an umbrella mental health charity Heads Together.
Harry looked dashing with his beard still firmly in place, while Kate looked unseasonably summery in a floral Kate Spade dress for her her first public engagement since returning from an official tour to Canada a week ago.
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Before heading to the central London attraction—which was due to be lit purple to mark the awareness day this evening, in common with many other global landmarks—William, Kate and Harry spent the morning talking to people who have suffered mental illness.
Kensington Palace said the Duke, Duchess and Harry were interested in learning about the kind of support that is most effective as they explore future projects through the Heads Together initiative. The young royals are hoping that through combining their star power they can bring attention to an unfashionable cause.
Kate was given a posy by Joanne Sibly, 17, on behalf the Make-A-Wish style charity Merlin's Magic Wand, which grants wishes to children who are sick, bereaved or terminally ill.
Kate spent several minutes talking to Richard McGhee who told a reporter from the Daily Mail afterwards: “My story is depression and anxiety. I work in the fire service so there's a certain aspect of that that can trigger it.”
Kate, in a rare public speech, said: “We are fortunate to be meeting and celebrating today with inspiring people who have been there for friends, colleagues and family at crucial times in their lives.
“All of us know someone who has been through difficult emotional times, and we know how hard it can be to see a way forward.
“William, Harry and I feel it is our duty to do what we can, with your help, to shine a spotlight on emotional wellbeing and highlight the support that is out there to prevent or manage the pain at difficult times.
“The three of us are coming to the realisation that more needs to be done to support people who are seeking help. Over the coming months, we hope to explore what else we can do to increase the level of service and support that people can receive.
“But first, as William said, we must tackle the stigma that stops people asking for help in the first place. We want to encourage people to talk to one another.
“There are many people who are here today in order to share their own, very personal experience of the kind of support that can make the difference between coping and not coping—between good mental health and poor mental health.”
