Prince William gave an update on Princess Kate during a surprise visit to a school this afternoon.
The heir to the throne visited St Michael’s Anglican High School in Rowley Regis, Sandwell to meet pupil Freddie Hadley after the 12-year-old sent a handwritten letter last year inviting the prince to see mental health initiatives there.
He shared knowledge about the princess
The Prince of Wales told a staff member at the school that Kate would have wanted to attend the event had she not been undergoing chemotherapy.
He said: “I’m sorry Catherine can’t come here either. She would have loved to.”
He had previously praised Freddie for his letter, telling the staffer: “A lot of people write letters but Freddie’s letter was really well written. I promised I would come.”
Today, William made his first royal visit since the Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnosis and treatment went public last month, according to express.co.uk.
Received a letter
Posting his letter on Twitter last October on World Mental Health Day, Freddie told the prince about the work he and his friends had been doing at the school.
To his surprise, the Prince of Wales replied: “Good afternoon Freddie, I am very sorry that Catherine and I cannot be with you and the other students at St Michael’s today.
Tackling mental health issues and stigma is so important, please continue this important work.”
Following the letter, William asked his team to secretly arrange a visit to the school next time he plans public appearances in the West Midlands.
The students were surprised
The student and his classmates were visibly shocked when the king entered their classroom for the first of three visits to the area.
Staff at the school managed to keep the visit a secret by telling Freddie that the Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands would be visiting him instead of the prince.
Freddie still didn’t realize who had actually visited him until he saw William get out of his motorcade and approach the school.
The prince said to Freddie “So you’re the young man who started it all. It’s great to see you, thank you for your letter.”
To which Freddie replied, “You’re welcome.”
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