Princess Kate Middleton has made an earnest appeal to dismantle the “stigma” associated with addiction.

The Princess of Wales spotlighted Addiction Awareness Week in the United Kingdom, which runs from November 23-29, by issuing a heartfelt statement encouraging compassion towards individuals on the path to recovery.

On Monday, November 24, Kate, 43, released her message in her role as the royal patron of the Forward Trust, a social justice organization dedicated to assisting those in the U.K. in overcoming addiction.

“This Addiction Awareness Week, I am, as always, very pleased to lend my support to this incredibly vital campaign,” Kate expressed in her appeal. “Through my role as Patron of the Forward Trust, it has been enlightening to witness the meaningful strides made in understanding addiction and confronting the stigma it carries. However, there is still much work to be done.”

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“Addiction is not a choice, or a personal failing, but a complex mental health condition that should be met with empathy and support,” she continued. “But still, even now in 2025, people’s experience of addiction is shaped by fear, shame and judgment. This needs to change.”

The statement continued, “The stigma surrounding those who face addiction allows it to thrive behind closed doors, impacting families and communities, and ultimately ruining lives. Many of us will know someone who is struggling with an addiction. Now is the moment to show our compassion and love to help them, or their friends and family, to reach out to organizations like the Forward Trust for support.”

“Recovery is hard, but with the right treatment it is possible. And this begins with a conversation, a listening ear and showing we care,” wrote Kate.

She concluded the statement, “So please join the conversation. By talking about it in the open, together we can bring addiction and the harm it causes out of the shadows. We can reframe this issue with kindness and understanding, and we can help individuals and families coping with addiction know they are not alone.”

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Kate has been royal patron of the Forward Trust since June 2021. She was previously patron of Action on Addiction, which merged with the Forward Trust in May 2021.

The royal also recently spoke out “the often unseen realities of mental health throughout pregnancy and beyond” in a letter shared by U.K. charity Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA) on November 4 in support of the organization’s new exhibition, “This Is Also Motherhood.”

“The Maternal Mental Health Alliance continues to champion the voices of those navigating perinatal mental illness,” Kate wrote. “At the heart of this exhibition are ten extraordinary women. Their courage to speak openly about their experiences, whether marked by trauma, joy, or resilience, demonstrates the great vulnerability and strength of the human condition. Through their portraits and letters, they remind us that no one should have to navigate the perinatal journey alone.”

“‘This is Also Motherhood’ reminds us that perinatal mental health problems can be overcome. Every parent’s story matters and every voice has the power to help build a society where love, hope, and compassion are at the heart of everything we do,” added the royal, who shares three children — Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7 — with husband Prince William.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).