Today, Prince William attended the National Mental Health and Policing Conference in Oxford, his first engagement since yesterday’s announcement that he and wife Catherine are expecting their third child.
At the conference, The Duke of Cambridge gave the key-note address on mental health issues, as part of the continuing awareness campaign by himself, his wife and his brother Harry, on this previously taboo subject.
In his speech, William praised the policing culture in the UK, claiming that is entirely unique: “discreet, low-key, with a sense of humour and great common sense”. William recognised the “mental strength and resilience” involved in such a profession, as well as stressing that in his opinion, “there is more we can and should do to support all first responders to look after their mental health”.
William addressed the National Mental Health and Policing Conference (C/ @KensingtonRoyal)
Having recently left his job as an air ambulance pilot, the Duke has pledged to try to make these services more readily available for first responders in the UK.
The second-in-line to the throne also spent time meeting with mental health specialists, before joining workshops with members of the public and the police who have been affected by mental health issues. The workshop encourages participants to share their stories in a comfortable environment. William also learned about the new training programme “Respond,” which has been designed to help agencies address the stigma which still exists around mental health issues.
You can read the full speech made by The Duke of Cambridge here https://t.co/3eDXCecwfE
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) 5 September 2017
Throughout the engagement, many people congratulated the Prince on the news that he and the Duchess are expecting their third child. Although William gratefully received the congratulations, he acknowledged the difficulties caused by his wife’s severe morning sickness, Hyperemesis Gravidarum. Catherine has struggled with the illness with her two previous pregnancies, and it caused her to cancel engagements today and yesterday. She is currently being cared for at Kensington Palace.
William participated in a workshop designed to reduce stigma around mental health (C/ @KensingtonRoyal)
Today, Prince William said that it was ‘very good news’, but “it’s always a bit anxious to start with”; he also said that there’s “not much sleep going on at the moment”. However, the Duke and Duchess will celebrate later, once Kate feels stronger – the illness is generally worse during the first trimester.
Both the Middletons and the Royal Family are ‘delighted’ with the news of another Prince or Princess for the Cambridges.
