Kate Middleton wears earrings given to her by grieving mother whose daughter tragically took her own life aged 17 – as she hosts youth mental health forum with William

Their royal highnesses, both 41, have arrived to host a youth workshop
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The Princess of Wales was a ray of sunshine in a yellow blazer as she arrived in Birmingham alongside Prince William today.

Their royal highnesses, both 41, are visiting the West Midlands city on World Mental Health Day, where they are continuing their work with young people and teaming up with TV personalities including former Love Islander, Dr Alex George.

Kate, who has recently shaken up her wardrobe, ditching dresses for trouser suits as she ‘spreads her wings’ in her new role, according to insiders, opted for yet another tailored, clean-cut two-piece today.

The mother-of-three opted for a L.K.Bennett £359 tailored jacket, teamed with a black blouse and matching trousers, as well as star earrings given to Kate by Maidenhead Rugby Club coach Sarah Renton.

They were made in memory of Mrs Renton’s daughter, Issy, who tragically took her own life at the age of 17 earlier this year. Kate promised to wear the jewellery after receiving them in June during a trip to the mother’s rugby club.

Kate and William arrive to join young people as they participate in a series of workshops which focus on emotions, relationships and community action at Factory Works in Birmingham

The royal looked animated as she kicked off this afternoon’s engagement to mark Mental Health Week

The couple were introduced to young people ahead of a series of workshops which focus on emotions, relationships and community action

The mother-of-three opted for a L.K.Bennett £359 tailored jacket, teamed with a black blouse and matching trousers, as well as star earrings given to Kate by Maidenhead Rugby Club coach Sarah Renton

Meanwhile Prince William looked equally statesman-like in a sharp suit as the couple arrived to discuss a subject close to their hearts as they host a forum for young people.

Exploring Emotional Worlds, which is being led by the royal couple, is also supported by BBC Radio 1.

Kate and William teamed up with the radio station last year to host a BBC Newsbeat special episode in which they talked to young people who had suffered with mental health issues in the past, and had received support.

During the discussion, mother-of-three Kate made note of how ‘everyone has mental health’ that they must look after in the same way they would ‘go to the gym’ to look after their physical fitness.

She also acknowledged that ‘different things will work for different people’ when it comes to dealing with obstacles in your personal life.

In the show, which aired on Radio 1, Radio 1Xtra and the Asian Network at 12.45pm this afternoon and will be repeated at 5.45pm, the Prince of Wales, 40, said mental health has been ‘pushed way down the priority list’ and argued society must ‘find a balance’ that preserves mental wellbeing.

The Princess of Wales added people are much better at acknowledging their mental health these days, but that they still face difficulties in knowing how to deal with it.

Meanwhile William said: ‘Big family networks and support networks around people are really important, but a lot of people don’t realise what they need until it actually comes along.

Kate wore her thick brunette locks in loose curls, hanging down her shoulders, and kept her jewellery simple

Kate speaks to young people as she participates in a series of workshops which focus on emotions, relationships and community action at Factory Works in Birmingham

‘You can be living one life one minute and something massively changes and you realise you don’t necessarily have the tools or the experience to be able to tackle that.’

William appeared to have been referencing his mother Princess Diana’s death in 1997 and the recent deterioration of his relationship with brother Prince Harry.

In 2016, the Prince and Princess of Wales launched their Heads Together campaign with Prince Harry, which aimed to challenge the stigma surrounding mental health conditions and encouraged people to open up about their wellbeing.

As people become more comfortable opening up about mental health and taboos around the subject are broken down, the Prince and Princess of Wales are now turning their attention to helping people recognise and manage their emotions to help them develop tools to boost resilience in difficult times.

The aim of the forum is to bring young people together to discuss how they manage their emotions, and how the development of strong relationships with other people can increase their ability to navigate bumps in the road.

During the event, 100 young delegates, who have been nominated by 10 leading mental health charities, will have the opportunity to talk about the biggest mental health challenges faced by their generation.

It will be hosted by BBC1Xtra presenter, Nadia Jae, and feature contributions from TV doctor, Alex George, BBC Radio 1 presenter, Katie Thistleton and the Founding Director of Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, Marc Brackett PhD.

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