Princess Beatrice steps in for Kate Middleton: Royal champions youth mental health during student roundtable in London

Princess Beatrice appeared at an event to mark Student Mental Health Week, where she spoke on a panel about young people’s wellbeing.

The 35-year-old princess joined forces with US company Chegg to take part in the event in the capital, championing a cause that many will associate with the Princess of Wales.

Kate, 42, who is currently privately recovering after abdominal surgery last month, has become one of the loudest voices within the royal family in standing up for the mental health and wellbeing of young people. She previously revealed that she and William care “deeply” about the case.

Last year, during the week of World Mental Health Day in October, the Princess of Wales took part in a series of meetings specifically focused on student mental health – both solo and with Prince William.

Although Kate is staying home (and “doing well,” according to Kensington Palace), it appears William’s cousin Beatrice has raised the flag for the cause.

When she appeared at the event by Chegg, a company based in Silicon Valley, in partnership with British charity Student Minds, the Mental Health Foundation and Big Change, Beatrice wore a black belted tweed jacket from Majé that cost £535, combined with an A-line Alexander McQueen A-line skirt, tights and lace-up boots.

In a photo posted to X/Twitter by Heather Hatlo Porter, Chegg’s chief communications officer, the royal mother of one is seen smiling as she chats with some young people.

As Heather posted the photo, she wrote that she was “so grateful” to have heard the royal speak at the event.

She added: “Let’s face loneliness together,” suggesting the event was specifically focused on loneliness in particular.

Last October, the Princess of Wales rolled out a series of actions to promote mental wellbeing, specifically aimed at young people

Beatrice’s participation in the event follows a cause that the Princess of Wales has long championed, as she flies the flag for student mental health awareness while Kate is out of action.

Last year, Kate took part in a number of events to promote young people’s mental health and wellbeing.

During a busy week in October, Kate undertook several assignments to promote a good cause, including a visit to Nottingham Trent University.

Kate opted for star earrings given to her by Maidenhead Rugby Club coach Sarah Renton when she hosted a Youth Mental Health Forum in Birmingham

They were created in memory of Mrs Renton’s daughter, Issy (pictured), who tragically took her own life earlier this year at the age of 17. Kate vowed to wear the jewelery after receiving it during a trip to mum’s rugby club in June

During her visit, which saw her don a chic knitted two-piece from Sézane to hear about the university’s mentoring programme, Kate chatted with students about her own student days.

In a video from Nottinghamshire Live, Kate told students that she ‘likes to challenge herself’ in music, sport and art.

She added that she encourages this in her own children by “trying new things.”

The princess continues: ‘For me, university was the moment when I learned to try out, because there is so much to offer.’

In her speech, Kate (pictured): ‘Mental health is something we both care deeply about’

Then she joked, “I’d like to be a student again!” whereupon the room burst into laughter.

Kate told the students about her love of sport and said: ‘I love being outside’. In particular, she noted how she tried her hand at hockey and tennis at St. Andrews, where she met her future husband Prince William.

She also said she developed her photography skills by joining clubs in college.

The solo engagement followed a joint visit with Prince William to Birmingham a day earlier, where the royal couple took part in a Youth Mental Health Forum organized by BBC Radio 1.

During the visit, Kate revealed her dedication to the cause in a subtle tribute in her jewelry.

She wore a pair of gold star earrings that she had received a few months earlier during another assignment to promote youth mental health.

They were created in memory of Sarah Renton’s daughter Issy, who tragically took her own life last year at the age of 17 after struggling with depression.

Kate promised to wear the jewelery after receiving it during an outing to the rugby club in June.

Mrs Renton said: ‘My daughter Issy committed suicide. Proceeds from the earrings will go to a charity called Brave Minds, a mental health charity that supports children through rugby club platforms. Mental health is such an important topic.

‘She was wonderful, Issy, a real breath of fresh air. She had wonderful, wonderful friends and surrounded herself with the best people.

“She had life in her hands, did so well at her A-levels, she went on to an elite rugby program, she paid rugby for England and got a gold medal in the summer.

‘But she also struggled with depression. Everything was harder than it should be. We thought she was clearly doing better than she was.”

Ms Renton added that Kate had told her she would wear the earrings in the future.

At the same Radio 1 event, Kate made a rare public speech in which she revealed how “deeply” she and William were concerned about the cause of young people’s mental health.

Kate, who was keen to speak personally at the event, told her audience: ‘Alongside the efforts of many others, we have seen real change. Today, more people feel empowered to talk about their mental health than ever before. This is a big step forward.

“William and I continue to be inspired to see young people like all of you here today leading this charge – being extraordinarily courageous to have some of those conversations ourselves.

‘As a generation you value and talk about your mental health more than anyone before you – something we really admire and applaud.

“However, it is important to remind ourselves of the big picture as we meet here today. What are we trying to improve by focusing our efforts on mental health? Ultimately, we are working towards a happier, healthier world.

‘We want to shape fairer, safer, kinder and more equal societies – societies that seek together the common good and a better future.

“Because just as we must restore, protect and invest in our planet, we must also restore, protect and invest in the communities, relationships and people who live on it.”