The Princess of Wales has marked Addiction Awareness Week by visiting a garden project in Southend that supports people recovering from addiction.
Kate, who is patron of The Forward Trust, visited the charity's new initiative called Forward Growing at Garon Park in Southend, Essex. The week-long campaign began on Saturday and runs until Friday.
At the green space in the north east of the city, people on the Forward Trust's treatment and recovery service in the area are encouraged to engage with the natural world.
Princess praises 'fantastic space'
The princess was shown the garden, where service users try gardening to help them in their recovery. Liam King, who leads conservation at the park, told Kate about the plants being grown.
Kate admitted: "I should have my husband here, he knows a lot (about gardening), he's really passionate." She described the planting area at Garon Park as a "fantastic space" as she chatted with people in recovery. When asked by Mr King if she does any gardening, the princess said "a little bit".
Message of hope and recovery
Kate's visit is intended to reinforce the message at the heart of The Big Addiction Conversation: that recovery is possible, help is available, and that through kindness, understanding and community support, people affected by addiction can be empowered to realise a more positive future.
Addiction Awareness Week has been running since 2021. Last year, Kate wrote an emotional message asking people to have "love and compassion" for those battling addiction.
She said: "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."
Recent royal engagements
Kate's visit to Southend comes just days after she and Prince William attended the world premiere of Tom Cruise's new film Digger at the Odeon Luxe Leicester Square theatre in central London. The screening raised funds for The Film and TV Charity, which works to create healthier and more supportive working environments.
Cruise was spotted holding Kate's hand and helping her down the stairs on their way to the screen. William and Kate briefly paused for pictures with the Beckhams before heading into the screening.
