The Princess Wears Separates for Addiction Awareness Week Engagement

The Princess of Wales wore separates today for an engagement marking Addiction Awareness Week in Southend, roughly 45 minutes from London.

She was there in her role as patron of the Forward Trust, an organization supporting people in recovery from "...addiction or leaving behind crime, helping them move on in life with family, friends, jobs, homes, and a sense of belonging. In the photo above, she is seen with Mike Trace, CEO of the Forward Trust. This year's theme for Addiction Awareness Week is "The Big Addiction Conversation," noting that "too many conversations about addiction never happen because of stigma, fear, and misunderstanding."

The Princess was in Southend to see the Trust's initiative called "Forward Growing." The program offers gardening classes and promotes the idea that time in nature can aid recovery.

Simon Perry's People story offers background on the Princess's work in this area. 

Princess Kate became a patron of Forward Trust in 2021, after the organization merged with Action on Addiction, which Kate had backed for much of her public life.

Supporting people and families affected by addiction has been a cornerstone of Kate’s work since almost the beginning of her royal life. Less than a year after her 2011 marriage to Prince William, she chose addiction charity Action on Addiction as one of her first four royal patronages in January 2012.

Her work in the area has also helped shape her broader focus on mental health and the early years, particularly her emphasis on how experiences and relationships early in life can have a lasting impact on wellbeing.

Forward Growing offers weekly gardening sessions at a local cricket ground that also has a nature trail. 

The Princess heard about another feature at the site from Dr. Liam King, the assistant manager, per this Telegraph story. 

Pointing to a sign that said “beehive”, the Princess, a keen beekeeper, asked whether they had hives.

Dr King explained that you can enter and experience what it is like to be a bee. “It’s mostly for kids but you’re welcome to have a look,” he told her.

“It sounds right up my street,” she laughed.

Dr King told her he had studied ecology and farming “buffer zones” to help combat climate change, prompting her to respond: “I should have my husband here. He knows more about that."

The Princess spent time meeting people using the program.

She also helped pot some plants.

The Daily Mail reports, "The scheme, which was launched in spring, is building towards the creation of a dedicated gardening area within the park. Vegetables from the area go back towards the Forward Trust site in Southend where recovering addicts learn how to prepare and cook the produce."

And from The Telegraph's coverage. 

The Princess of Wales turned down the offer of gloves to get her hands dirty during a gardening session at an addiction charity.

She helped to pot plants at Garon Park in Southend, Essex, where she sought to highlight the importance of engaging with the natural world and spending time outdoors.

When asked whether she did much gardening at home, she replied: “A little bit.”

The Princess heard personal stories from some program participants.

This Daily Mirror piece has details. 

Steph Sampson, 45, told the princess that her daughter Mia, 21, had written her a five-page letter begging her to stop drinking which she read in rehab.

Sampson has now been sober for six-and-a-half months and told Kate she got ‘goosebumps’ when her daughter told her how proud she was in a birthday card in August.

Sampson said: “Being in rehab and learning that it was an illness was a massive turning point. I could explain that to my children and my mum.” Kate told her: “It’s such a powerful message for others. Well done. It’s a shame your family isn’t here. They must be super proud.

And a final note about the organization comes from this Daily Mail piece. 

Lisa Bryer, the filmmaker behind The Last King of Scotland and trustee of Forward Trust, said that she had been clean and sober for 44 years after her well-documented battle with heroin.

She met the princess and said afterwards: 'We are so lucky to have the princess as our patron. She’s incredible.'

Speaking about the schemes run through the Forward Trust, she said: 'It works. It’s extraordinary but it’s building the structure and taking away the stigma of addiction.'

Now, for our look at what Kate wore today.

We begin with her Max Mara blazer, the brand's Wool-Cotton Jacquard Jersey Checked Blazer ($1442 originally, on sale in limited sizes for $797), a double-breasted style with a slim fit, welted front pockets, a center-back vent, and horn buttons. It is crafted from 70% virgin wool and 30% cotton in a Prince of Wales check pattern. The jacket was first noted during a June engagement with Prince George at RAF Coningsby.

The Princess brought back her Joseph 'Coleman' Stretch Trousers ($485 at Joseph), a slim-fit design in cotton-blend gabardine and a brand staple. The style is also available at Selfridges. 

The Princess appeared to wear her brown leather Emilia Wickstead belt accented with gold-tone hardware. 

And we saw the return of her Boden 'Nya' Penny Loafers ($190) in the oxblood colorway. That color is no longer available, but Boden offers several other colors and finishes at 15% off with promo code RMNV.

The Princess repeated her Cartier Trinity Earrings ($3850) and brought back her Laura Lombardi Portrait Necklace ($192), a chain-link design in 14K gold-plated brass.

Here is one more photo from today's engagement. 

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A quick retail note today: Monica Vinader is offering up to 25% off everything online this week. That means the Nura Pearl Pendant and Necklace are $160 instead of $200 for both pieces, or you can buy each individually at $80. And the Princess's Siren Green Onyx Earrings are now $160 instead of $200.

The sale is online only.