Kate Marks Mental Health Week with Dame Kelly Holmes Trust Visit

The Princess of Wales carried out the first of two engagements this week to mark Mental Health Awareness Week with a visit to Bath to see the work of the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust.

Dame Kelly Holmes Trust is a youth charity founded on the belief children and teenagers need champions. As an Olympian gold medallist, middle-distance athlete Kelly knows exactly the drive, ambition and support young people need to achieve their dreams and, thanks to a life spent in elite sport, she welcomes world-class athletes to her charity to offer advice and mentorship. In recognition of her work, Kelly receive an invite to the Coronation and was delighted to welcome the Princess today.

Below, Kelly during and after her triumphant performances at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.

Today's engagement and Thursday's scheduled visit to Kate's patronage, the Anna Freud Centre, were planned to prioritise conversations with young people, ensuring they are equipped with the necessary tools to take on life's challenges in a positive and healthy manner.

Kate gets into the swing of training.

More on the charity's ten-year mission to help young people: "Our programmes boost wellbeing, increase confidence, strengthen resilience and build self-esteem so individuals can fulfil their true potential. We work in education, community and health settings connecting young people with their own skills and strengths through in person and digital mentoring sessions; and connecting them with their local community through hands-on practical social action."

Kate spent time with young people from St Katherine's school in Bristol who are participating in the On Track to Achieve programme, delivered by Paralympian Liz Johnson.

Kate spoke about her own experiences and how daunting public speaking can be. More from the Mail Online:

'Away from the cameras, she answered questions about her life, telling them she had never thought about becoming a royal until she fell in love with William, according to one person present.

Dame Kelly said: ‘They were just asking her about being a royal. Was it something that she wanted to do? And she said she had to learn. It’s a struggle to know that you can be accepted and fit in and you are still learning every day.

‘Doing public speaking isn’t a natural thing for lots of people is it? And she was saying she is still working that out but has to project. So you know again, she humanised everything. Not everyone is perfect.’

Conversation centred on the challenges experienced during teenage years and the tools to build resilience.

People reports:

'Holmes said that Princess Kate "was so open and attentive to the young people" during the visit.

"I asked her the question of why she's so passionate about mental health, and she believes 'every young person should get a chance to be themselves.' And every young person, especially a teenager, they're going through a huge crisis at the moment," Holmes says.

Citing the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of social media and teens trying to establish their friendship groups as particular pressures on them.

"She was lovely because she was just willing to be asked questions," Holmes said of Kate. "That was really nice because it showed somebody of her stature and status is human as well."'

Zara McDermott was also there. A supporter of Kate's Shaping Up programme, Zara has become a vocal mental health advocate following her experiences on ITV's Love Island. She is using her influencer status to speak about vital issues.

A Kensington Palace spokesperson said: "The Princess of Wales has long been a champion of prioritising mental wellbeing, including that of children and young people. Her Royal Highness has dedicated her time to supporting various mental health programmes, such as the launch of Heads Together, Shout 85258, and the Mentally Healthy Schools programme. She is also patron of a number of charities which are focussed on promoting and providing mental health support to those in need.

"In January 2023, the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood launched Shaping Us, a long-term campaign spearheaded by the Princess. The campaign aims to transform the issue of early childhood from one of scientific interest to one of the most strategically important topics of our time. The campaign also highlights that, by focusing our collective time, energy, and resources to build a supportive, nurturing world around all children and those caring for them, we can make a huge difference to the physical and mental health and happiness of generations to come."

To mark the week, one of the UK's leading mental health charities, Mind, is focusing on the damaging impact the cost-of-living crisis is having.

More from the charity:

'The uncertainty of watching as our costs spiral can be difficult to bear. The worry of how we’ll get by and support our families is piling on the pressure. But for so many of us, looking after our mental health is often last on our list.

As individuals, as families, as communities – we can’t afford to ignore the impact on our mental health.'

A poll published in November by the Mental Health Foundation found the pressure and financial uncertainty has led to 30% of adults in the UK having poorer quality sleep; 23% meeting with friends less often; 15% pursuing a hobby less often; and 12% exercised less often. In a worrying and shocking prediction, the Foundation expects the toll of the cost-of-living crisis to equal that of the pandemic on mental health.

A video from the engagement.

On the way back by train, Kate surprised a group of schoolchildren by asking about their day.

Wow - a right royal surprise for students waiting for a train home with us today 👑
HRH The Princess of Wales taking time to say hello & ask the children about their trip was a better end to the day than we could ever have planned!🩷#PrincessofWales #KateMiddleton #princess pic.twitter.com/rNUOc6UxiZ

— Platform_Rail (@platform_rail) May 16, 2023

Kate was summer ready in casual chic today.

The Princess chose the sunny yellow £359 L.K. Bennett Mya blazer. The tailored jacket is described as: "Part of a key suit in our spring collection, the vibrant Mya blazer is in our Peggy Guggenheim-inspired bold and bright yellow. Crafted in Portugal from a classic tailoring fabric, it's a single-breasted style with a curved peak lapel, a single horn-effect button, front welt pockets and a beautiful tailored cut." It's available in limited sizing at John Lewis and L.K. Bennett.

Kate wore her off-the-shoulder white knit-rib top by H&M. This piece has been in Kate's wardrobe since 2016 when she wore it for engagements on the Isles of Scilly.

It very much looks like Kate wore her Alexander McQueen white tailored trousers seen during the Commonwealth Games last summer. Below the leaf crepe cigarette trousers.

Kate sported her Veja Esplar trainers. Veja's sneakers are named in tribute to the Brazilian NGO the label has been working with since 2005; it supports organic and family farming in the Nordeste region. They are available at Net-A-Porter.

The Princess accessorised with her Emily Mortimer Hera earrings.

Over the weekend, it was confirmed the next location of the Earthshot Awards will be Singapore. The award will take place on 7 November and it is expected the Prince and Princess of Wales will fly over. Singapore is a Commonwealth Country and the couple undertook a tour there in 2012 in celebration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. Click here to catch up on that tour. I'm very much hoping the award will coincide with another lengthy trip to the fascinating country.

Introducing #EarthshotSingapore2023 🇸🇬

We are so excited to be heading to Southeast Asia this November for our third annual awards ceremony, taking place during the first ever #EarthshotWeek

✨Find out more: https://t.co/CS9SlithSx pic.twitter.com/fqjMC57ZyK

— The Earthshot Prize (@EarthshotPrize) May 14, 2023

I'll see you on Thursday!