Princess Kate Middleton says 'addiction is not a choice' in powerful new statement
The royal has shared an important message to support a campaignPrincess Kate Middleton has issued a powerful statement, saying “addiction is not a choice”.
The Princess of Wales penned the important message in support of Addiction Awareness Week, which began on Sunday (November 23) and runs until next Sunday (November 30) in the UK.
In 2021, Kate launched the UK’s leading addiction campaign Taking Action On Addiction, led by the Forward Trust. It aims to get the nation to talk about addiction.
Princess Kate speaks out on addiction in new message
“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,” Princess Kate writes in her statement.
The stigma surrounding those who face addiction allows it to thrive.
“This needs to change,” she then continues. “The stigma surrounding those who face addiction allows it to thrive behind closed doors, impacting families and communities, and ultimately ruining lives. 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 organisations like The Forward Trust for support.”
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“Recovery is hard, but with the right treatment it is possible. And this begins with a conversation, a listening ear and showing we care. So please join the conversation,” the royal urges readers. “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.”
Addiction Awareness Week
Princess Kate marked Addiction Awareness Week in 2021. At the time, she became royal patron of the Forward Trust, a charity that supports people to recover from addiction or leave behind crime.
The charity’s Taking Action on Addiction campaign aims to break down stigma surrounding addiction.
Kate has also undertaken various engagements as part of her patronage. In 2023, the royal visited HMP High Down in Surrey to speak with inmates struggling with addiction and learn more about how the criminal justice system is helping them.
Former England and Arsenal footballer Tony Adams also supports the initiative.
A chairman of trustees at the Forward Trust, who has dealt with addiction himself, the sportsman has opened up in a short film.
He bravely recounts his own journey to seeking help, following a powerful conversation with his mother-in-law.
Encouraging others to share their own ‘Conversation that Changed Everything’, he says: “Talking is the first step to recovery, and recovery is possible for everyone. I made the decision many years to talk openly about my struggles with alcohol addiction, and it’s the best decision I ever made.”
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