Middleton, 39, spoke at her patronage The Forward Trust’s Taking Action on Addiction campaign launch, where she rocked a bright red turtleneck, matching pleated Christopher Kane ankle-length skirt, tan Ralph Lauren pumps, and a matching DeMellier tan purse. The Duchess of Cambridge delivered a powerful speech at the event Tuesday to raise awareness of addiction as a disease and the importance of empathy and compassion in treatment. “Addiction is not a choice. No one chooses to become an addict. But it can happen to any one of us. None of us are immune,” she said. “Yet it’s all too rarely discussed as a serious mental health condition, and seldom do we take the time to uncover and fully understand its fundamental root causes. The journey towards addiction is often multilayered and complex. But by recognizing what lies beneath addiction, we can help remove the taboo and shame that sadly surrounds it.” “As a society, we need to start from a position of compassion and empathy, where we nurture those around us, understand their journey, and what has come before them,” she continued.“We need to value and prioritize care and support, helping to restore and connect individuals who are clearly suffering, to the people around them.” Middleton noted that the pandemic has exacerbated addiction for many families with devastating results. “We know that over one and a half million people across the U.K. who did not have substance misuse prior to lockdown may now be experiencing problems associated with increased alcohol consumption,” she said. “Around 2 million individuals who were identified as being in recovery, may have experienced a relapse over the past 18 months.” “Yet, there is hope,” she assured. “Over the last 10 years, I have had the privilege of meeting many incredible people who have lived through the harsh realities of addiction. These are stories of healing, of hope and recovery, that can inspire us all.” “The campaign will show us that, not only do many people recover from addiction, they can go on to prosper,” the Duchess continued. “We can all play our part in helping this work. By understanding, by listening, by connecting. So that together we can build a happier, healthier, and more nurturing society.” At the same event, Middleton was surprised when Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnolly, the hosts of British reality series I’m a Celebrity … Get Me out of Here, greeted her. McPartlin opened up to Duchess Kate about his own battle with addiction. “The more you speak to, everybody… and hearing some of their stories today… once you start sharing your story there are so many people who have experienced it themselves, or have known someone,” Middleton said. McPartlin replied, “I felt that myself. By the time I asked for help it was bad. But as soon as you open up to people … the problems start to disappear. It gets better.” “You hear this time and time again … it gets to this point [where people say], ‘I wish I had had this support earlier,’” Middleton said. Donnolly told her, “You hear so many people saying, ‘Things did not change until I hit rock bottom.’ If we can stop people hitting rock bottom, wherever that is … it would make such a difference.” If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at 1-800-662-4357, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for confidential help and resources for recovery. Next, see photos of the Duchess of Cambridge through the years.
