Not long ago, the Royal Family were known for their guarded public persona, rarely showing emotion in front of the cameras. It was a generational habit, as Queen Elizabeth II was brought up and advised that the stiff upper lip was the only appropriate way to respond to feelings, and at the time, it probably was.
But fast forward several decades, and we’ve got the heir to the throne candidly showing his emotions on a topic that has long been taboo. There’s no denying that suicide and mental health are hard topics to talk about, as even though great strides have been made over the past few years, it’s still not viewed the same as physical illness.
And having the future King sit down and hear a widow’s firsthand experience of losing her husband to suicide and learn of the stigma and challenges she faced is hugely important.
Not only does he listen and engage in the difficult conversation, he’s not hiding how it makes him feel.
William was so profoundly moved that he had to take a moment to compose himself, looking away glass-eyed.
This shows just how much he cares and also demonstrates to others, especially boys and men who are more prone to suicide than women, that it’s ok to cry. It’s ok to show emotion and it’s ok to ask for help. None of these things are a weakness – and William helps to prove the opposite, that vulnerability can be a strength.
The heir to the throne is fast proving to be the relatable royal, a position that once that his estranged younger brother was once lined up for.
William enjoys football, spending time with his family and tuning into The Celebrity Traitors on TV, but he’s also able to show the public something much more important, that he cares.
Just weeks after appearing on Canadian actor Eugene Levy’s travel show where he opened up about the mistakes his parents made and set out his manifesto for monarchy, the prince is delving into a gritty topic and showing how much he wants to make a difference.
Choosing to appear in films and on popular TV shows proves just how down-to-earth and real he is – and also highlights his determination to reach a broader audience.
William is not afraid to shy away from the difficult conversations and he wants to use his role to help others. You can clearly see throughout the film that this is a prince who genuinely cares and wants to see the number of suicides in the UK significantly fall.
And what’s more, he’s not just asking about what needs to change – he’s doing something about it by investing in the National Suicide Prevention Network.
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, information and support can be found at the Hub of Hope, the UK’s largest mental health support directory: https://hubofhope.co.uk/. You can call the Samaritans free at any time from any phone on 116 123. Lines are open 24 hours a day. You can also email [email protected]
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.express.co.uk ’
