Prince Harry and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge joined forces to launch a new mental health campaign on the first day of Mental Health Awareness Week. The trio are spearheading the "Heads Together" project in a bid to end stigma surrounding mental health.
SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEOWilliam, Kate and Harry arrived together at the iconic Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on Monday morning. The Duchess, 34, was impeccably dressed in a white blouse by Goat and a patterned skirt by Banana Republic.
© Photo: RexPrince William and Kate launched Mental Health Awareness Week on Monday
It wasn't long before the mum-of-two bonded with a group of youngsters, who were sat at a Place2Be table – the children's charity that Kate is patron of. Prince George and Princess Charlotte's mum was pictured chatting to the schoolgirls and entertaining them with toy puppets.
"I'm really shy and the puppets really help me speak about things," said Maggie, ten, from Curwen Primary School. "The Princess really understood that. She said, 'I do feel shy too, everybody is shy a little bit.'"
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe mum-of-two bonded with a group of children
Place2Be is just one of the seven charities that are involved in the "Heads Together" campaign. At another stand promoting Mind charity, Kate tried her hand at boxing and giggled as she picked up the technique. The charity encourages physical exercise for mental wellbeing.
GALLERY: KATE'S BEST SPORTING MOMENTSDuke McKenzie, a world champion boxer leading the session, said that Kate took to boxing like a duck to water. "She couldn't wait to get the gloves on and had a wicked punch," he laughed.
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe Duchess tried her hand at boxing and seemed to enjoy herself
Harry, who has just come back from launching the Invictus Games in Orlando, was also pictured sparring. "Prince Harry packs a punch," said Duke. "I think he wanted to take me out!" The Prince admitted that he likes to use boxing to de-stress.
Frankie Bridge, who has openly talked about struggling with depression, was also pictured having a go. The Saturdays singer is one of the stars supporting the campaign, alongside model Abbey Clancy, who was there with parenting charity Best Beginnings.
© Photo: Getty ImagesKate wore a blouse by Goat and a skirt by Banana Republic
While Kate's focus is on children, her husband William spoke to charity partners with a particular interest in men's mental health. Last week William brought to light the issue of male suicide in the UK. Speaking during an engagement he said: "My thing really is to get more men talking about their issues before it is too late and to stop feeling so strong and unable to seek help."
© Photo: Getty ImagesPrince William followed in Kate's footsteps
The future King headed straight for the CALM charity stand. The organisation is dedicated to preventing male suicide.
Harry, meanwhile, has been campaigning for the mental health of war veterans. The Prince, who holds the rank of captain in the army, is a strong believer in helping servicemen and women rebuild their lives post-war.
The Prince chatted to representatives from Contact Armed Forces – a collaboration of state and charitable organisations working to improve mental health support to the Armed Forces community.
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe Duke and Duchess gave a speech at the Heads Together campaign
Their royal highnesses were reunited at The Mix charity stand, where Harry had a go on the decks. The 31-year-old played Naughty Boy's Runnin' while Kate asked for Emeli Sande's Heaven. William selected his favourite running track Heartbeat Loud by Andy C & Fiora.
At the Young Minds stand, reps asked people to share what makes them happy. The Duchess revealed that a walk lifts her spirits, while William said that his children George and Charlotte make him happy. Harry's greatest pleasure was "making people smile", he wrote on a card.
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe trio delivered a joint speech
At the event William, Kate and Harry each took to the podium to deliver a joint speech, outlining their personal interest in the campaign. Beneficiaries, campaigners and ambassadors from the team of mental health charities were among the audience.
Kate said: "Heads Together wants to help everyone feel much more comfortable with their everyday mental wellbeing. Fear of prejudice and judgement stops people from getting help and can destroy families and end lives."
William added: "The more we talk about mental health, the more normal and positive the topic becomes. Let's put an end to the silence and let's replace it with optimism, with support and with understanding. Let's all get our heads together and change the conversation on mental health forever."
The seven charities that are involved are Best Beginnings, CALM – The Campaign Against Living Miserably, Contact, Mind, Place2Be, The Mix and YoungMinds.
