James Middleton and Kate Middleton.Photo: Kirsty O’Connor/PA Images/Getty; Karwai Tang/WireImage
Kate Middleton’s brotherJamesis thanking her for shining her royal spotlight on mental health.
On Thursday, the 36-year-old Ella & Co. founder joinedGood Morning Britainto talk about howhis puppy Bertieis doing at Guide Dogs training and said that Kate andPrince William’s longtime work with the important topic helped him speak out about struggling with depression.
“I think what’s fantastic is that they’re in a position where they are talking about their own mental health. And I think it’s something that, you know, broadly it is a challenge,” James said, referencing his sister and brother-in-law.
“I remember early on, to say the words out loud, that I was feeling depressed or I thought I had depression, was impossible,” he continued with his dogs Mabel and Isla beside him. “But actually, through some of the work that they’ve been doing over time, it gave me the confidence to sort of speak out. I have more to thank for them and the sort of focus they’ve put towards it.”
“We all suffer from mental health, and I think to be able to speak out about it, and that’s why I felt like I had a responsibility to speak out, because it was part of my journey to actually get to where I am now, which is where I’m in control of it,” James explained. “It hasn’t gone, I don’t expect it to go, but I’m now in control of it.”
Princess Kate’s younger brother first spoke about navigating clinical depression in a 2019 op-ed for theDaily Mail,creditinghis dog Ellaas his strength during the darkest days. In January, James thanked his sisters Kate andPippafor attending some of histherapy sessionsin a heartfelt essay forThe Sunday Times, and he shouted out Kate for using her royal platform to highlight mental health onGood Morning Britain.
“But to be honest, she’s my sister, so I know all of her quirks and everything and to see her blossoming in that role, I’m very proud of her,” he added.
Prince William and Kate Middleton in Wales.Chris Jackson/Getty
A cause close to heart, mental health has long been a key priority of Princess Kate’s royal work. Together with her husband Prince William and brother-in-lawPrince Harry, she launched the Heads Together initiative in 2016 to smash stigmas surrounding conversations and help for mental health.
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Prince William, 41, has highlighted the importance of mental health in every area of life, frommedical workerstosoccer players, also makingcombating male suicidea crucial part of his royal work. Meanwhile, Princess Kate has focused on mental health initiatives formothersand children. In May, she madetwo solo engagementsfor Mental Health Awareness Week focused on youth causes.
James Middleton announced his wife Alizee Thevenet is pregnant on July 5.James Middleton Instagram
James Middleton Instagram
Earlier this month, James sweetly revealed that his family is expanding! On July 5, James announced that he and his wife, Alizee, areexpecting their first child.
“It was a very difficult start to the year after losing my beloved Ella however we will end the year with the most precious little addition to our growing family ❤️,” he added.
If you or someone you know needs mental health help, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
source: people.com
