Duchess Kate Gives Keynote Speech On Addiction Campaign
On Tuesday, coinciding with the start of Addiction Awareness Week the Duchess of Cambridge was at the Bafta headquarters in London to deliver a keynote speech on the “Taking Action on Addiction” campaign, created by the Forward Trust.
Kate was in an all-red look, matching her pleated skirt with an identically coloured turtleneck. Perfectly paired with some pointed-toe tan stilettos from Ralph Lauren, adding effortless glamour. For her handbag, Kate opted for the ‘Nano Montreal Bag’ in ‘Deep Toffee’ from DeMellier.
The stunning Duchess wore her signature long hair in a voluminous curled style and sported a flawless face of natural makeup.
Bumping into TV duo Ant and Dec on the way into the event, Kate looked rather stunned. Joking that she was “in trouble”, that they were going to make her do one of their “tucker trials.” Dec replying, “We can arrange that.” They were there on serious business, of course, Ant speaking on his own battles in the past.
As stunning as she was, Kate was also there on duty, as a patron of the Forward Trust she delivered a keynote speech on addiction and the importance of the actions undertaken by the organization.
Explaining that “Addiction is not a choice. No one chooses to become an addict. But it can happen to any one of us. None of us is immune.
“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.
“We need to value and prioritise care and support, helping to restore and connect individuals who are clearly suffering, to the people around them.
“That is why I am so passionate about the work of The Forward Trust, an organisation I am so proud to be a patron of. This is the work that you, and many other charities, provide day in, day out. And it is needed now, more than ever.”
She added on the effects of the past year: “The pandemic has had a devastating impact on addiction rates. And families and children are having to cope with addiction in greater numbers than ever before.
“We know that over one and a half million people across the UK who did not have substance misuse prior to lockdown may now be experiencing problems associated with increased alcohol consumption.
“And almost one million young people and children are showing an increase in addictive behaviour since the pandemic began.
“These are stories of healing, of hope and recovery, that can inspire us all.
“I fully support The ‘Taking Action on Addiction’ campaign to improve awareness and understanding of addiction. The campaign will show us that, not only do many people recover from addiction, they can go on to prosper.”