This evening's appearance marks the first time Kate has been seen publicly in six weeks. At the end of August, William, Kate and Harry visited the White Garden at Kensington Palace to mark the 20th anniversary of Diana's death. Days later, it was announced Kate was expecting her third child and, as with George and Charlotte, has been suffering from Hyperemesis gravidarum, a debilitating condition requiring supplementary hydration, medication and nutrients. Kate has been holed up at KP since, where she has been receiving medical treatment. By all accounts it's been a particularly horrid and gruelling time for her - forcing her to miss Prince George's first day of school. Reports over the past week suggested she was feeling better, and it's wonderful to see her well enough to mark World Mental Health Day in an official capacity.
An aide told reporters: The Duchess' condition is improving but she is still suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum. The Duchess is delighted to be able to be here tonight.
An arrival video from Sky News.
The event recognised the progress, hard work and dedication of those determined to raise awareness of mental health issues over many years. Guests were invited from across the country, including the UK's leading mental health organisations.
It also provided an opportunity for the royals to thank those from the sector for the support they provide to so many going through difficult times in their lives.
Mental health in the workplace is the theme of World Mental Health Day 2017. "During our adult lives, a large proportion of our time is spent at work. Our experience in the workplace is one of the factors determining our overall wellbeing. Employers and managers who put in place workplace initiatives to promote mental health and to support employees who have mental disorders see gains not only in the health of their employees but also in their productivity at work. A negative working environment, on the other hand, may lead to physical and mental health problems, harmful use of substances or alcohol, absenteeism and lost productivity." Depression and anxiety disorders are common mental disorders that have an impact on our ability to work, and to work productively. Globally, more than 300 million people suffer from depression, the leading cause of disability. More than 260 million are living with anxiety disorders. Many of these people live with both. A recent WHO-led study estimates that depression and anxiety disorders cost the global economy US $1 trillion each year in lost productivity. The statistics are flooring. An emphasis on workplace wellbeing will be a focus of Heads Together moving forward.
Mental health is a cause especially close to William, Kate and Harry's hearts. Over the weekend it was confirmed their Royal Foundation plans to invest £2 million to establish a new start-up for digital mental health innovation, which will develop new digital tools to help people have conversations about mental health. With the advice and support of its Heads Together partner charities, the Royal Foundation will also be investing in programmes to support better conversations on mental health in schools, workplaces, and within the defence community. The initiative has been spurred on by the results of a survey revealing that at the height of Heads Together efforts 1.2 m more men talked about their own mental health. The study noted a "slow and steady increase" in people talking about mental health in general, with a three per cent rise, or 1.5 million people, discussing it in May compared with February.
Guests included Stephen Fry, Esther Rantzen, model Adwoa Aboah and former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.
We saw Phase 2 getting firmly underway yesterday when Prince Harry and Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon launched a new partnership between the Royal Foundation and the Ministry of Defence to improve the mental health of current and former Armed Forces personnel.
The Duchess of Cambridge has debuted her baby bump on her first public appearance since announcing her pregnancy last month pic.twitter.com/KQ1Dla9bkj— Sky News (@SkyNews) October 10, 2017
It also provided an opportunity for the royals to thank those from the sector for the support they provide to so many going through difficult times in their lives.
Mental health in the workplace is the theme of World Mental Health Day 2017. "During our adult lives, a large proportion of our time is spent at work. Our experience in the workplace is one of the factors determining our overall wellbeing. Employers and managers who put in place workplace initiatives to promote mental health and to support employees who have mental disorders see gains not only in the health of their employees but also in their productivity at work. A negative working environment, on the other hand, may lead to physical and mental health problems, harmful use of substances or alcohol, absenteeism and lost productivity." Depression and anxiety disorders are common mental disorders that have an impact on our ability to work, and to work productively. Globally, more than 300 million people suffer from depression, the leading cause of disability. More than 260 million are living with anxiety disorders. Many of these people live with both. A recent WHO-led study estimates that depression and anxiety disorders cost the global economy US $1 trillion each year in lost productivity. The statistics are flooring. An emphasis on workplace wellbeing will be a focus of Heads Together moving forward.
Mental health is a cause especially close to William, Kate and Harry's hearts. Over the weekend it was confirmed their Royal Foundation plans to invest £2 million to establish a new start-up for digital mental health innovation, which will develop new digital tools to help people have conversations about mental health. With the advice and support of its Heads Together partner charities, the Royal Foundation will also be investing in programmes to support better conversations on mental health in schools, workplaces, and within the defence community. The initiative has been spurred on by the results of a survey revealing that at the height of Heads Together efforts 1.2 m more men talked about their own mental health. The study noted a "slow and steady increase" in people talking about mental health in general, with a three per cent rise, or 1.5 million people, discussing it in May compared with February.
Guests included Stephen Fry, Esther Rantzen, model Adwoa Aboah and former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.
We saw Phase 2 getting firmly underway yesterday when Prince Harry and Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon launched a new partnership between the Royal Foundation and the Ministry of Defence to improve the mental health of current and former Armed Forces personnel.
Prince Harry speaks this morning at @DefenceHQ about the importance of mental health support for the Armed Forces. pic.twitter.com/Y01NECur0y— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) October 9, 2017
Earlier today, William and Harry attended a reception at St James's Palace celebrating Heads Together. Guests included a number of the marathon runners, people who have shared their own mental health stories during the campaign, including through the #oktosay film series, representatives from the Heads Together Charity Partners and the Royal Foundation, as well as those involved in the campaign's delivery.
The pair gave a wonderful speech with William crediting Kate for the genesis of the campaign. Harry referenced working with those involved "in the years ahead".
Rebecca English revealed Kate's former private secretary Rebecca Deacon had a hand in creating the campaign. The two obviously enjoyed a very close working relationship. Rebecca left her role in August and is now working as a private consultant. She will be given the Royal Victoria Order for her services to the monarchy at Buckingham Palace tomorrow. Kate's new private secretary Catherine Quinn officially commenced her new role earlier this month. Lancashire-born Ms Quinn boasts an incredibly impressive resume; Catherine has an MBA from Oxford University’s Saïd Business School and degrees from US and UK universities. Her last role saw her serve as Chief Operating Officer and Associate Dean of Administration for the University of Oxford. She previously directed the university’s Research Services and Oxford University Consulting, before joining the Wellcome Trust, the charitable healthcare foundation, leading its grant-giving operations. From there, she become chief executive of Middle Temple (one of the four Inns of Court exclusively entitled to call their members to the English Bar as barristers). She joined the Charity Commission as a board member in December 2016 and is currently a Trustee of The Royal British Legion and on the board of the Met Office. Other appointments of note include serving as Non-Executive Director of the National Memorial Arboretum. She is also a Governor of the Contemporary Dance Trust and a Trustee of London Children’s Ballet.
The pair gave a wonderful speech with William crediting Kate for the genesis of the campaign. Harry referenced working with those involved "in the years ahead".
"Today, we are here to say thank you. Thank you to everybody." said Duke of Cambridge at today's #WMHD17 celebration @KensingtonRoyal pic.twitter.com/OI1xLCgA5Z— Heads Together (@heads_together) October 10, 2017
Rebecca English revealed Kate's former private secretary Rebecca Deacon had a hand in creating the campaign. The two obviously enjoyed a very close working relationship. Rebecca left her role in August and is now working as a private consultant. She will be given the Royal Victoria Order for her services to the monarchy at Buckingham Palace tomorrow. Kate's new private secretary Catherine Quinn officially commenced her new role earlier this month. Lancashire-born Ms Quinn boasts an incredibly impressive resume; Catherine has an MBA from Oxford University’s Saïd Business School and degrees from US and UK universities. Her last role saw her serve as Chief Operating Officer and Associate Dean of Administration for the University of Oxford. She previously directed the university’s Research Services and Oxford University Consulting, before joining the Wellcome Trust, the charitable healthcare foundation, leading its grant-giving operations. From there, she become chief executive of Middle Temple (one of the four Inns of Court exclusively entitled to call their members to the English Bar as barristers). She joined the Charity Commission as a board member in December 2016 and is currently a Trustee of The Royal British Legion and on the board of the Met Office. Other appointments of note include serving as Non-Executive Director of the National Memorial Arboretum. She is also a Governor of the Contemporary Dance Trust and a Trustee of London Children’s Ballet.
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| Rebecca English |
William gave a speech in which he said: "Tonight, we are here to celebrate decades of tireless campaigning; after thousands of people have given their time and energy; and after many brave individuals have had the courage to come forward and share their stories, mental health is no longer a Cinderella issue.We know that none of the recent work we have supported through Heads Together would have been possible without the people in this room."
The event concluded with a brilliant speech from Stephen Fry.
On #WMHD, @stephenfry spoke brilliantly at a national celebration of mental health, hosted by @RoyalFamily and attended by @KensingtonRoyal pic.twitter.com/c7sqFUIILf— Heads Together (@heads_together) October 11, 2017
📽 Thank you to all those who attended yesterday's reception at Buckingham Palace to celebrate the work of the UK mental health sector #WMHD pic.twitter.com/GtPd8Ud51a— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) October 11, 2017
The Duchess selected a dress by one of her favourite brands Temperley London.
The £795 Eclipse Lace Collar Dress is made from corded lace and has black velvet trims and a pleated skirt spliced with cotton-voile panels. The piece is from the Autumn '17 collection; inspired by Elizabethan and Baroque portraits of ladies wearing high necklines and ruffles. The dress is available at Temperley London and Net-A-Porter.
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| Temperley London |
More from the product description:
'A modern take on the lace dress underpinned by the season's Elizabethan influence, the Eclipse Lace Collar Dress is shaped into a sleek A-line silhouette.'
A closer look at the 'Iris' hue.
For those fond of the shade, The Eclipse comes in a mini dress and a lace shirt.
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| Temperley London |
Kate's dress is also available in white and black at Temperley London.
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| Temperley London |
The Duchess wore her much loved Gianvito Rossi black suede pumps. They remain available in most sizes at Net-A-Porter.
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| Gianvito Rossi |
Kate accessorised with her Kiki McDonough blue topaz and diamond drop earrings in white gold.
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| Kiki McDonough |
And carried her black Mulberry clutch.
It was wonderful to see Kate at an official engagement mingling with guests, chatting about mental health and marking World Mental Health Day. It's fantastic to hear her Hyperemesis gravidarum is improving and hopefully the worst of it is over and the remainder of the pregnancy will be smoother sailing. Looking forward, there are no engagements announced - perfectly par for the course at this stage. When Kate is recovering with HG it isn't at all unusual for appearances to be announced the day before or day of an event. I also expect Kensington Palace will make an announcement on Kate's due month any day now. We leave you with an image of the Duchess talking to guests tonight; as you can see all eyes were on her, and guests were delighted she could attend. Stephen Fry said: "We're very grateful she's here."
It's great to see you back Kate :)
