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Prince William had little time to rest after carrying out an important overseas duty on behalf of King Charles. Following King Harald V of Norway’s funeral in Oslo on 9 September, the Prince of Wales returned to Britain before heading to Liverpool for an engagement focused on suicide prevention.
William had travelled to Norway with his aunt, Princess Anne, who was present at the funeral for personal reasons because she is godmother to the newly proclaimed King Haakon. Soon after arriving home, William reunited with the Princess of Wales at Hill Dickinson Stadium, where the couple carried out their first joint official appearance since Prince Harry returned to the UK.
Catherine, meanwhile, had remained at the family’s Windsor residence during William’s trip abroad. Her attention had been focused on the beginning of a new academic year for Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
It has been a particularly significant week for the Wales family, with their eldest child also beginning a major new chapter. On Tuesday, William and Catherine saw Prince George off as the 13-year-old started his first term at Eton College.
Catherine appeared polished for the emotional Liverpool engagement, choosing a teal trouser suit by Edeline Lee that royal watchers may recognise from her previous visit to Italy.
The Princess of Wales wore the designer’s ‘Cornflower Blue’ ensemble, pairing wide, high-waisted flared trousers with a fitted jacket. Gathering across the back of the jacket created a defined peplum effect that emphasised her waist and gave the tailored outfit its distinctive silhouette.
Rather than adding numerous accessories, Catherine kept the finishing touches understated. She teamed the suit with pointed heels and wore Laura Lombardi’s ‘Portrait’ necklace, the same piece she had chosen when Prince George began his first day at Eton College.
Her brunette hair was swept into a deep side part and styled in loose, natural-looking waves. Despite the blustery conditions outside the stadium, the hairstyle retained its soft shape as Catherine sat on a wall during part of the visit.
Catherine’s presence was particularly notable because she had not initially been expected to join the day’s programme. She ultimately accompanied William to demonstrate her support as her husband focused on a cause of significant personal importance to him.
Prince William’s poignant messagе
Prince William used World Suicide Prevention Day to unveil a new initiative designed to help sporting organisations play a more active role in protecting people’s mental health and preventing suicide.
Called On Your Side, the toolkit was created by The Royal Foundation together with the British Standards Institution and Chasing the Stigma. Its purpose is to give organisations across the sporting world practical guidance on recognising risks and developing stronger approaches to suicide prevention.
William also appeared in a campaign video alongside England football captain Harry Kane and Formula One star George Russell, using the launch to reflect on the people he has encountered through his years of mental health advocacy.
He said: “Through my work on mental health, I have met people whose lives have been changed forever by suicide.”
In the foreword accompanying the new guidance, William also reflected on encounters that demonstrated how timely intervention can save a person’s life.
He wrote: “But I have also met people whose lives have been saved because someone stepped in to help. Each of their experiences has had a profound impact on me.”
The Prince stressed that effective support at a critical moment can have an enormous impact and argued that everyone involved in sport has the potential to make a difference.
He continued: “In moments of need, the right support can make all the difference. We all have the power to help, and that’s why suicide prevention must be an important part of everyday sporting life.”
William concluded with a call for clubs, organisations and individuals across every level of sport to treat suicide prevention as part of their wider responsibility to those around them.
He added: “I hope that On Your Side encourages everyone in sport, in every discipline and at every level, to make suicide prevention part of your game plan.”
