KATE and Wills admitted on radio “we all feel lonely no matter who we are” and urged the nation to come together in a special broadcast.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge opened up on the airwaves today, encouraging listeners across the country to “lift someone out of loneliness” with small acts of kindness.
The royal couple’s warm words were played at 10.59am to raise awareness of Mental Health Awareness Week.
In the radio message, Prince William admitted: “We’re all in different places now”, before wife Kate added: “Not just physically but mentally.”
The duke then said: “And we can all feel lonely sometimes”, with the duchess agreeing: “No matter who – or where – we are.”
An estimated 20 million Brits tuned into their one-minute message which was broadcast across more than 500 stations at the same time.
Both Kate and Wills have passionately campaigned about mental health issues before and asked the public to make a difference to each other’s lives.
They reminded the UK to look out for each other, especially after the difficult and lonely past two years of the pandemic.
Kate said: “If you think someone you know might be feeling lonely, just give them a ring, send them a text or knock on the door.”
William added: “Maybe suggest meeting for a coffee or a walk …”
And Kate continued: “Because these small acts of kindness can make a big difference and help us all feel less lonely.”
The pair apologised for interrupting all of the UK’s radio stations.
The duchess said: “If we interrupt the lives of those who are feeling alone…”
Before the duke continued: “We can help lift them out of loneliness.”
Kate and Will’s 2022 Minute was in support of Better Health – Every Mind Matters, which offers advice to tackle loneliness and provides NHS-approved tips to help people look after their mental wellbeing.
They have been involved in the Mental Health Minute for five years, but this is the first time the couple were the sole stars of the show.
Lady Gaga and Dame Judi Dench have previously taken part.
Nigel Huddleston, minister for civil society and youth at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, said: “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are great champions of mental health awareness and we’re hugely grateful to have their support through the Mental Health Minute.
“We know loneliness is having a disproportionate impact on our young people and this campaign offers easy to use guidance people can follow to improve their wellbeing.”
The duke and duchess were pictured sitting on a sofa as they recorded their message, with William’s script resting on an Earthshot book and Kate’s on her Hold Still pandemic photography book.
You can also spot the Our Planet: The One Place We All Call Home children’s book which accompanied Sir David Attenborough’s Netflix documentary series.
Behind the couple was a family photo of them with their three children, which was released as their Christmas card picture in 2020.
