Kate, Princess of Wales, delivered a compassionate holiday message calling for a shift in attitudes toward individuals struggling with addiction.
The princess marked the start of Addiction Awareness Week with a rare personal message urging people to reach out and show “empathy and support” to those suffering from an addiction and hold back judgements.
Kate has served as the royal patron of the Forward Trust, a charity that helps addicts recover and break the cycle of addiction and leads the Addiction Awareness week campaign.
“Addiction is not a choice, or a personal failing, but a complex mental health condition that should be met with empathy and support. But still, even now in 2025, people’s experience of addiction is shaped by fear, shame and judgement. This needs to change,” Kate shared in her message.
She added that it has been “humbling” to see the significant progress made in understanding addiction and confronting stigmas concerning addiction.
“The stigma surrounding those who face addiction allows it to thrive behind closed doors, impacting families and communities, and ultimately ruining lives,” she continued. “Many of us will know someone who is struggling with an addiction. Now is the moment to show our compassion and love to help them, or their friends and family, to reach out to organizations like The Forward Trust for support.”
More than half of adults in the U.K. (53%) have personally experienced or know someone who has suffered from an addiction to drugs, alcohol, medication or gambling, and 1 in 10 personally experience an addiction, according to an October study from the organization.
“Recovery is hard, but with the right treatment it is possible. And this begins with a conversation, a listening ear and showing we care,” Kate shared.
She concluded by encouraging others to show support to those suffering from addiction.
“So please join the conversation. By talking about it in the open, together we can bring addiction and the harm it causes out of the shadows. We can reframe this issue with kindness and understanding, and we can help individuals and families coping with addiction know they are not alone.”
How is Kate doing?
It’s been nearly two years since the Princess of Wales underwent a “planned abdominal surgery,” which led to doctors detecting and diagnosing her cancer.
After the operation, Kate retreated from the public to recover for about two months. Her absence sparked public speculation and several high-profile conspiracy theories.
In March 2024, she publicly announced via social media that she had been diagnosed with cancer and was receiving treatments.
Following a handful of periodic updates, Kate confirmed her cancer had gone into remission in January, and noted that her focus remained on recovery, though she planned to make a gradual return to public duties.
“It is a relief to now be in remission and I remain focussed on recovery,” Kate wrote in a statement shared on X at the time. “As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis will know, it takes time to adjust to a new normal.”
“I am however looking forward to a fulfilling year ahead. There is much to look forward to. Thank you to everyone for your continued support.”