Why Prince William and Kate Middleton’s mental health work is a cause close to their hearts

The Prince and Princess of Wales stepped out for the first time this week since Prince Harry’s explosive memoir 'Spare' to visit a charity that is helping support a theme pivotal to the book - mental health.

Probably nothing more than a coincidence, but it can’t be overlooked how Harry has mentioned how his grief for his mother has weighed heavily, and the difficulties his wife Meghan Markle has faced in recent years.

And that’s without mentioning the same grief Prince William has had to overcome since Princess Diana’s death and the struggles Kate Middleton's brother James Middleton has faced.

It’s undoubtedly a cause close to the hearts of the royal couple. PeopleWorld explores more.

On January 12, 2023, Kate Middleton and Prince William headed to The Open Door Charity in Birkenhead, Merseyside, to see how the organisation uses culture and creativity to inspire and engage young people.

They spent time with volunteers, mentors, and staff to hear about the models used to help young adults overcome a number of challenges. It marked a continuation of the work they have spent around a decade focussing on.

Adding to this, last year in October, William and Kate led a radio discussion on Radio 1’s Newsbeat to mark World Mental Health Day.

They sat in the studio with five others to lead a discussion with mental health experts and campaigners.

In May last year they also collaborated for a surprise 60-second broadcast titled a ‘Mental Health Minute’ that was broadcasted on radio stations throughout the UK.

While the mental health of some royal family members have made headlines, Kate’s own family have perhaps been given less time in the spotlight.

In 2019, James Middleton opened up to the Daily Mail about his own mental health struggles. For him, a combination of his severe dyslexia and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) left him unable to feel “joy, excitement or anticipation”.

In May 2020, he was diagnosed with clinical depression and has said that a retreat to the Lake District helped him clear his mind.

Taking all factors into account, and the nature of the conversation around the topic in the contemporary world, it is easy to see how mental health has formed a central and personal theme to their public work as a couple.