Princess Kate Middleton is urging the public to end the “stigma” surrounding addiction.
Marking Addiction Awareness Week in the U.K., which runs from Sunday, November 23, to Saturday, November 29, the Princess of Wales called for greater compassion toward those in recovery.
On Monday, November 24, Kate, 43, released the statement in her role as royal patron of the Forward Trust, a U.K.-based social justice charity that supports individuals overcoming addiction.
“This Addiction Awareness Week, I am, as always, very glad to lend my support to this hugely important campaign,” Kate began. “Through my role as Patron of the Forward Trust, it has been humbling to see the progress made in understanding addiction and tackling the stigma around it. But there is still much work to do.”
She continued, “Addiction is not a choice or a personal failing, but a complex mental health condition that deserves empathy and support. Yet in 2025, fear, shame, and judgment still shape how people experience addiction. This must change.”
Kate emphasized the broader impact, stating, “The stigma surrounding addiction allows it to thrive behind closed doors, affecting families and communities and ultimately destroying lives. Many of us know someone struggling with addiction. Now is the time to show compassion and support, encouraging them or their loved ones to reach out to organizations like the Forward Trust.”
She concluded, “Recovery is hard, but with the right treatment, it is possible. It starts with a conversation, a listening ear, and showing we care.”
She closed her statement with a heartfelt call to action: “So please join the conversation. By talking about it openly, we can bring addiction and the harm it causes out of the shadows. We can reframe this issue with kindness and understanding, and help individuals and families coping with addiction know they are not alone.”
Kate Middleton has served as royal patron of the Forward Trust since June 2021, after previously supporting Action on Addiction, which merged with the Forward Trust in May 2021.
The Princess of Wales has also recently highlighted “the often unseen realities of mental health throughout pregnancy and beyond” in a letter shared by the U.K. charity Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA) on November 4, supporting the organization’s new exhibition, This Is Also Motherhood.
Kate Middleton emphasized the importance of supporting parents facing mental health challenges, writing, “The Maternal Mental Health Alliance continues to champion the voices of those navigating perinatal mental illness. At the heart of this exhibition are ten extraordinary women. Their courage to speak openly about their experiences, whether marked by trauma, joy, or resilience, demonstrates the great vulnerability and strength of the human condition. Through their portraits and letters, they remind us that no one should have to navigate the perinatal journey alone.”
She continued, “‘This is Also Motherhood’ reminds us that perinatal mental health problems can be overcome. Every parent’s story matters and every voice has the power to help build a society where love, hope, and compassion are at the heart of everything we do.” Kate shares three children with Prince William: Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, help is available. You can reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for confidential support and resources.
