Catherine, Princess of Wales comes out in support of addicts

Hawk-eyed royal watchers were touched to spy the Princess of Wales’ tender tribute to her family during a video call about compassion for addiction.

Royal watchers couldn’t help but notice that during a video address made by the Princess of Wales, the mum of three included a touching tribute to her kids in her broader plea for community compassion.

Catherine touched many when she released a new video in support of Addiction Awareness Week on Sunday, but in the background of her office were framed family photos featuring husband Prince William and their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

One of the photos showed George and Charlotte on their first day at school together in 2018.

A second photo showed the family sitting on a hay bale at their Norfolk home Amner Hall. There was also a fun photo of the royal couple smiling at each other as they wore customary head-dresses in Pakistan in 2019.

Not all relationships and families are as fortunate, the Princess of Wales seemed to say as she spoke out in support of addiction awareness, the disease marring families, and giving her personal support to people struggling with addiction.

“No one chooses to become an addict,” said Catherine in the video, part of the Taking Action on Addiction campaign.

The Princess of Wales struck an empathetic note, encouraging more understanding from the public about people who are battling their dependence on alcohol, drugs or gambling.

“I want to share a message of support to those who are continuing to suffer,” Catherine, in a video delivering a message to those wrestling with addiction.

“Addiction is a serious mental health condition that can happen to anyone, no matter what age, gender, race or nationality.

“I want you to know that this is also a serious health condition.

“Please do not let shame hold you back from getting the help you so desperately need.”

The video was recorded at Kensington Palace, and is the first personal video message from Catherine since she became Princess of Wales.

The video includes a clip of the Amy Winehouse Foundation, set up after the 2011 death of the singer who died from alcohol poisoning at the age of 27.

Catherine, Princess of Wales made a cocktail at the Trademarket outdoor market in Belfast, but the royal has released a video asking for more public understanding around addiction. Picture: AFP

Catherine is a patron of the Forward Trust charity, which tries to break the cycle of addiction among the general population, and also among the incarcerated.

Before the Princess of Wales became the Forward Trust’s patron, she had twice visited the charity’s substance misuse services at a women’s prison in Surrey.

The trust has also called for greater recognition of the scale of gambling inside prisons.

But the video from the Princess of Wales emphasised the need to understand the roots of addiction and to take away the stigma that might be a barrier to getting help.

“I know this was not a choice. Recovery is possible,” she ended her message.

Originally published as Catherine, Princess of Wales comes out in support of addicts