The Princess of Wales spent the morning outdoors in Essex as she visited a drug and alcohol support charity to mark Addiction Awareness Week.
Kate, 44, who has long shared her passion for gardening, helped pot plants during a visit to The Forward Trust in Southend-on-Sea. The engagement gave her an opportunity to learn more about Forward Growing, the charity’s latest nature-based community initiative.
The green-fingered royal arrived at Garon Park in a smart grey checked Max Mara blazer, which she first wore during a visit to RAF Coningsby with Prince George earlier this year.
The double-breasted jacket, featuring the distinctive ‘Prince of Wales’ check, appeared to be a subtle nod to Prince William. Kate paired it with a brown sweater, slim-fit black trousers and loafers.
The charity’s wellness programme encourages people using its recovery and treatment services to connect with nature through weekly gardening sessions.
Kate, who has been a patron of The Forward Trust since 2021, has previously spoken about the comfort and strength she drew from nature during her cancer treatment.
She highlighted nature’s ‘healing power’ in her ‘Mother Nature’ series of short films, released last year and narrated by the princess. Kate said: ‘The natural world’s capacity to inspire us, to nurture us and help us heal and grow is boundless and has been understood for generations.’
The Princess of Wales helped pot plants at a drug and alcohol support charity in Essex today
For the visit, Kate wore her bronde hair in loose mermaid waves and opted for understated makeup. She completed the look with a gold chain necklace by Laura Lombardi and earrings.
After arriving in Essex, Kate was welcomed by Mike Trace, CEO of The Forward Trust, who introduced her to members of staff.
Liam King, who leads conservation at the park, explained which plants were being grown. Kate then admitted: ‘I should have my husband here, he knows a lot (about gardening), he’s really passionate.’
As she spoke with people in recovery, Kate described the planting area at Garon Park as a ‘fantastic space’. When Mr King asked whether she did much gardening herself, the princess replied: ‘a little bit’.
Kate launched the first Addiction Awareness Week on behalf of The Forward Trust in 2021. Last year, she also wrote a heartfelt message calling for ‘compassion and love’ for people affected by drug, alcohol or gambling addiction.
She wrote: ‘Recovery is hard, but with the right treatment it is possible. And this begins with a conversation, a listening ear and showing we care.
‘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.’
She added: ‘We can reframe this issue with kindness and understanding, and we can help individuals and families coping with addiction know they are not alone.
The princess of hugs! Kate shared a sweet moment with a member of the public during today’s royal engagement
The Princess has been a patron of The Forward Trust since 2021
The future Queen swapped red-carpet couture for a more casual ensemble, rewearing the grey checked Max Mara blazer she debuted during a visit to RAF Coningsby with Prince George earlier this year
The Princess, who has been a patron of the charity since 2021, has previously shared how she found comfort and strength in nature during her cancer treatment
Kate listened intently as she learnt about The Forward Trust’s new nature-based initiative
The double-breasted jacket features the ‘Prince of Wales’ check in a sweet nod to Prince William
The future Queen greeting members of the public and staff at The Forward Trust
Kate’s visit in support of ‘The Big Addiction Conversation’ to highlight recovery is possible
Today’s engagement comes during Addiction Awareness Week, which runs from September 19 – 25. This year, the campaign is calling on the UK to make its voice heard through ‘The Big Addiction Conversation’.
Every year, around 17,000 people die from alcohol or drug-related causes, and the ‘Big Addiction Conversation’ wants to spark compassionate and honest communication about the stigma attached to addiction.
It comes after the Princess dazzled on the red carpet at the world premiere of Tom Cruise’s new movie in London’s Leicester Square earlier on Tuesday.
While it’s hard to outshine Hollywood royalty, all eyes were on the future king and queen as they arrived for the Royal Film Performance of ‘Digger’ at the Odeon Luxe.
There had been huge anticipation in advance of the princess’s latest red carpet look, and Kate did not disappoint in a purple flowing gown by Jenny Packham with a daring gap at the back.
Her jewels were even more eye-catching, as she wore the Queen Mother’s amethyst sauron necklace paired with pearl earrings belonging to Diana, Princess of Wales, showed off to perfection with a heavy curled hairstyle pulled back at the side.
The dazzling necklace had also been worn by Queen Camilla at the Royal World Premiere of ‘Skyfall’ at the Royal Albert Hall on October 23, 2012.
Prince William looked dapper in black tie, wearing a velvet evening jacket and highly polished shoes as he waved to the crowd, which had turned out en masse to watch Hollywood stars – and royalty – walk the red carpet.
It was something of a reunion for the couple and Cruise, 64, who had met before at the UK premiere of his hit film Top Gun: Maverick in May 2022.
They were pictured beaming as they chatted to the Hollywood legend ahead of the screening of his new film, as well as filmmaker Alejandro G Iñárritu.
Cruise and the future king have also worked together at an event to support the London Air Ambulance charity.
The star is even reported to have organised a special screening of the movie for the Wales family after hearing the prince was a huge fan of the 1986 original.
Speaking about the Prince and Princess before their arrival, Cruise said: ‘I just love them. They are lovely people and I have great respect for them.’
The star and the future king have also worked together at an event to support the London Air Ambulance charity.
He has said of William: ‘We have a lot in common. We both love England and we’re both aviators. We both love flying.’
Cruise was the perfect gentleman, taking Princess Kate’s hand as he helped her down the stairs in her gown as she clutched a black purse, while William waved to the crowd.