Prince William, Kate Middleton, and Prince Harry are once again giving back in life-changing ways. The Royal Family members founded Heads Together, and recently, all three have shown that they're perfect for the organization through the way they've been candidly discussing their own personal life struggles. As three members of such a prominent family, it can't be easy letting their guards down and allowing the world to see their vulnerabilities. But, that's exactly why Harry, Kate, and William make such great leaders.
For those unaware, Heads Together is an organization created by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Prince of Wales. Its purpose is to stop the stigma that comes with mental health and those facing it on a daily basis. "This fear of prejudice and judgement stops people from getting help and can destroy families and end lives," the official website reads. "Heads Together wants to help people feel much more comfortable with their everyday mental wellbeing and have the practical tools to support their friends and family."
As founders of Heads Together, the royal family members have all recently shown why this campaign needs them. Kate spoke to Virgin Money London Marathon runners Wednesday about the family's openness, specifically Harry discussing his own mental health. "We all felt there was very much a campaign to get everyone talking and have these conversations," she said. "We’ve got to do the same, you know — so he’s been brilliant."
The fact that they aren't holding back really makes others feel less alone. Take what Kate told a group of women about her own experience with motherhood Thursday at the Global Academy: "It is lonely at times and you do feel quite isolated, but actually so many other mothers are going through exactly what you are going through." She added, "It is being brave enough, like you obviously were, to reach out to those around you."
I am not a mother, but I can imagine that being a mom is a tough job that comes with a lot of pressure. Add being in the public eye, like Kate, on top of that and motherhood probably becomes even more stressful — and as she said, somewhat lonely. But, talking about motherhood and how it makes you feel is a topic many woman can relate to. Just having someone else to talk with can make all the difference in the world. To hear Kate voice something that I'm sure so many other women are feeling is huge and also could be comforting in a sense.
As for Harry, he had an in-depth conversation about how the death of his mother, Princess Diana, affected him greatly. For years, the public didn't know how her 1997 death impacted Harry, who was only 12 at the time. But they certainly do now, because he opened the door all the way into his emotions. "I can safely say that losing my mum at the age of 12, and therefore shutting down all of my emotions for the last 20 years, has had a quite serious effect on not only my personal life but my work as well," Harry confessed in April to The Telegraph's Bryony Gordon for her podcast, Mad World.
Only three years ago did Harry start talking to someone about it, but before that, he said, "My way of dealing with it was sticking in my head in the sand, refusing to ever think about my mom, because why would that help, it’s only going to make you sad, it’s not going to bring her back." Trust me when I say Harry's openness is doing so much good, because it so relatable.
Then there is William, who in a new BBC documentary, Mind Over Marathon, debuting Thursday in the U.K., said about Diana, "The shock is the biggest thing. I still feel, 20 years later about my mother, I still have shock within me." He continued about experiencing shock, "People say shock can’t last that long, but it does. You never get over it. It’s such an unbelievably big moment in your life that it never leaves you, you just learn to deal with it.” Isn't that the truth?
The honestly of these three royal family members is why Heads Together is going to do wonders in the world and impact the lives of many. Way to go, Kate, William, and Harry for forming such a worthy organization.
