The Princess of Wales moved the founder of a jewellery brand to tears after wearing earrings created in memory of a teenager who died by suicide.
Kate Middleton made a surprise appearance alongside Prince William last week to mark World Suicide Prevention Day. The couple travelled to Liverpool to unveil On Your Side, a new suicide prevention toolkit designed to support people across the sporting community. The resource aims to help individuals spot warning signs, start meaningful conversations and step in before a situation reaches crisis point.
A Personal Touch for the Occasion
For the occasion, the Princess of Wales stepped out in a blue trouser suit and white top, finishing her look with jewellery, including a pair of Issy Star earrings. The brand was created by Sophie McGown in memory of her late cousin, Issy, who died by suicide in 2023 aged 17. Seeing the Princess of Wales wearing them was an emotional moment for Sophie.
"All I could think was that Kate had woken up that morning and thought of Issy. Her heart is just so big," she told Hello! Magazine. "She did this for everyone who has lost someone to suicide and for anyone who may be struggling with their mental health. It was completely overwhelming and incredibly special."
How the Princess Received the Earrings
Kate is understood to have been given the earrings in June 2023 during a visit to Maidenhead Rugby Club, where she met under-14s coach Sarah Renton. Also a mother of three, Sarah told the Princess that she had lost her daughter, Issy Phipps, to suicide before later presenting her with the Issy Star earrings. Since then, Kate has been photographed wearing them at several engagements linked to mental health.
Speaking at the launch, the royal described the initiative as "a major step forward", as she highlighted how more people now feel able to speak openly about their mental health.
Royal Remarks on Mental Health
"William and I continue to be inspired to see young people, like you all here today, leading this charge — being particularly brave in having some of those conversations yourselves," she said. "As a generation, you value and talk more about your mental health than any before you — something we truly admire and applaud."
William said: "Suicide remains one of the greatest challenges facing our society. Many people will have felt the impact of this personally. You will know families whose lives have been changed forever by loss. Today, we remember them. And we recommit ourselves to doing everything we can to prevent more families from experiencing that pain."
A Sentimental Necklace for Another Royal Visit
On Sunday (September 13), Kate visited The Royal Marsden Hospital, where she received cancer treatment in 2024. During her latest outing, she was spotted wearing a sentimental necklace connected to her daughter, Princess Charlotte. The piece of jewellery is the same one she wore to Princess Charlotte's christening in 2015 and on many other occasions, including alongside Charlotte and her husband, Prince William, at the Commonwealth Games in 2022.
