Prince William arrived today for what has been described as an ’emotive and powerful’ engagement highlighting the work of a child bereavement charity close to his heart.
The heir to the throne, who lost his own mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1997 – when he was aged just 15 – is today in Cumbria in his role as patron of Child Bereavement UK.
Speaking at the event in Widnes, Cheshire, William said movingly: ‘Sometimes the hardest thing about grief is finding the words for how you actually feel.
‘It’s crucial for those first few years, particularly, (that) you have support like this…. It’s got you in your practice, how to help yourself.
‘The mind gets focused on one thing, doesn’t it? It’s very difficult to do school and normal life.’
William, 42, appeared visibly moved as he greeted young children supported by the charity on Wednesday.
The future King opted to wear a slate grey blazer with black trousers, matching sweater and a light blue shirt, with William sporting the full beard that fans can’t get enough of.
The charity, which is one of the Prince’s oldest patronages, is now in its 30th year and supports children and young people when someone important to them has died.
Prince William arrived today for what has been described as an ’emotive and powerful’ engagement highlighting the work of a child bereavement charity close to his heart
The heir to the throne, who lost his own mother, Diana, Princess of Wales , in 1997 – when he was aged just 15 – is today in Cumbria in his role as patron of Child Bereavement UK
It is also a lifeline for parents and wider family when a baby or child dies or is dying, as well as providing vital training to professionals whose work brings them into contact with bereaved families.
The charity helped 3,000 children, young people and adults in 2024 – more than ever before.
They also have a helpline and live chat service alongside their face to face sessions.
The Northwest service, where he is spending time today, is the charity’s busiest branch in the UK.
During his visit, the Prince met families and children who have been supported by it, as well as local staff and volunteers.
A source said of the visit that it would be ‘incredibly emotive and powerful’, adding: ‘The Prince is keen to shine a light on the important work the charity does day in, day out to support families at the most difficult time of their lives.’
When he became patron on the charity William, who was following in Diana’s footsteps as its figurehead, said he wanted to ‘continue my mother’s commitment to a charity which is very dear to me’.
He added: ‘What my mother recognised back then – and what I understand now – is that grief is the most painful experience that any child or parent can endure.’
William signed the charity’s Visitor Book during his visit to Child Bereavement UK as its patron. During the event, the future King saw firsthand how the not-for-profit supports bereaved families
William’s signature on a page in the Visitor Book to ‘commemorate the visit’
William also spent time with the charity’s staff and volunteers as he read messages posted by those that Child Bereavement UK supports
William, who has been a patron of the charity since 2009, spoke to teenagers from the charity’s group for young people – that meets monthly – on Wednesday.
When he asked if they found it hard to talk about their loss, one girl, Rebecca, 17, replied she didn’t know to feel because ‘it was very sudden’.
After her meeting with the Prince, Rebecca said he ‘really understood’ how she felt because ‘he’s been in the same situation, around our age as well’ – referring to William losing his mother Diana when he was a young boy.
Ella, 17, who also spoke to William, added: ‘I think he understands how grief works.
‘He seemed comfortable to be able to speak to us about stuff.’
Meika, 15, told the Prince she had stopped going to school after her grandmother died.
The teenagers made memory jars, filled with salt in colours which reminded them of their loved ones, as they spoke to William.
The prince had a private meeting with bereaved parents during his time at the offices, which he was shown around by Sophie Cartwright, bereavement service lead for the north.
William, 42, appeared visibly moved as he greeted young children supported by the charity on Wednesday
He then met staff, volunteers and fundraisers including 16-year-old boxer Clayton, from Carlton in Nottingham, who began fundraising for the charity after his coach Tommy Thompson used the service following his daughter’s death.
When Clayton asked William if he liked boxing, he replied: ‘No, I don’t mind throwing a few punches around but not at your level.
‘It’s exhausting as well.’
Clayton has raised thousands of pounds for the charity with challenges including running 250km over 25 days.
Speaking after meeting William, Clayton said: ‘He was a genuine person, very down to earth.
‘Obviously he’s been through the same situation as a lot of people so you can see when he does say he’s glad of what we’re doing, it’s important because he knows what it’s like for others.’
In one sweet moment during his visit to the not-for-profit on Wednesday, the future King signed its visitor book to mark his time there.
Prince William waved at reporters outside Child Bereavement UK’s Cumbria branch
Before leaving, William was shown the charity’s ‘Before I Die’ wall made up of messages from people detailing what they wanted to achieve before they died.
He laughed at one message which said: ‘Win the Fortnite cash cup.’
After reading some of the other notes, he said: ‘It’s very interesting, isn’t it? Fantastic. There’s lots of family, isn’t there? Family mentioned all the way through there.’
His trip to Cumbria comes days after Prince William was spotted at a crucial Champions League match between his boyhood club Aston Villa and Celtic at in Birmingham.
Prince William, 42, was spotted in the stands at Villa Park – Aston Villa’s home groung- looking tense as Aston Villa took on the Scottish side, before celebrating the English team’s 4-2 victory over Celtic at full-time.
The future King has been a fan of Aston Villa since his school days and attends matches as often as he can to show his support for Unai Emery’s side.
