Kate Middleton surprises William at the launch of his two-year project in Liverpool
When suicide prevention makes its way into changing rooms and onto sports pitches, it signals a fundamental shift in how we think about athlete wellbeing. That is precisely the ambition behind Prince William’s initiative, officially launched on 10 September 2026 at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool. And to mark the occasion, Kate Middleton made a surprise appearance alongside her husband, underscoring the strength of their shared commitment.
Two years in the making, brought to life in Liverpool
This programme was not built overnight. Over the course of two years, the Prince of Wales worked with specialists to develop a digital toolkit designed for sports clubs and associations. The goal is straightforward: to embed mental health and suicide prevention into everyday sporting life, on a par with warm-ups and physical conditioning.
The practical guide offers concrete resources to help coaches and teammates identify an athlete who may be struggling and point them towards appropriate support. Prince William believes sport has a unique ability to reach people who would never walk through the door of a mental health service. Those who suffer in silence can find, within their sporting environment, a first helping hand.
The launch brought together many figures committed to this cause, including Carol Speed, the mother of Welsh footballer Gary Speed, who died in 2011. Her presence gave the event a particularly human resonance.
More than 70 organisations already on board
The “On Your Side” initiative has attracted considerable institutional support from the outset. More than 70 organisations have already joined the programme, among them the Football Association, the Premier League, the British national team and British Cycling. Mental health charities are also part of this network.
To accompany the launch, the Royal Foundation produced a short film aimed at encouraging people to speak openly about suicide. Several high-profile athletes took part, including England football captain Harry Kane, Formula 1 driver George Russell, two-time world champion boxer Carl Frampton and British international basketball player Kofi Josephs.
- Harry Kane, England football captain
- George Russell, Formula 1 driver
- Carl Frampton, two-time world champion boxer
- Kofi Josephs, British international basketball player
- Carol Speed, a symbolic presence at the launch
These familiar faces carry a simple message: in difficult moments, the right support can change everything. Sport, with its broad popular reach, is a powerful vehicle for spreading that message far beyond medical circles.
Kate Middleton by William’s side, a presence that did not go unnoticed
Kate Middleton’s attendance had not been announced. Yet the Princess of Wales chose to join her husband for this significant moment, just days after the couple had accompanied their son George to his first day at Eton. On the day, the two walked among athletes and guests, their ease with one another plain to see.
The appearance is a reminder, once again, of the way Kate Middleton and Prince William support each other in their respective commitments. The Princess was not simply present: she engaged actively in conversations, adding further symbolic weight to the occasion.
Sport as a lever for mental health
In the guide he wrote, Prince William offers a personal testimony. He speaks of encounters with people whose lives have been shattered by suicide, but also with others whose lives were saved thanks to the intervention of someone close to them. This dual reality underpins the entire philosophy of “On Your Side”.
The stakes extend well beyond the world of sport. The programme is built on the belief that sport brings together individuals who might otherwise remain isolated in their pain. A coach, a teammate or a club official can therefore become, with the help of this toolkit, a vital link in a chain of prevention. Prince William sums up this conviction by noting that the opportunity sport offers is, in his own words, “enormous”. Kate Middleton, by being in Liverpool that day, helped give the launch an even greater sense of purpose.
