Princess of Wales Visits HMP High Down with a Trampoline Injury
Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, embarked on a visit to HMP High Down, a male prison in Surrey, to show her support for an addiction charity. However, during her visit, she revealed that she had injured her hand while trampolining with her children at home. Despite having to strap her fingers due to the injury sustained during playtime in the royal couple’s Windsor garden, Kate displayed her resilience by shaking hands with the prison staff, including the governor.
Stylish and Smiling Through the Pain
Arriving for the prison visit in her characteristic style, the mother of three chose to wear a blue Alexander McQueen outfit and greeted the prison staff with a warm smile. Even with two fingers strapped together due to her trampolining injury, she remained composed and cheerful. A Kensington Palace spokesperson assured that the finger injury was minor and not broken.
A Touching Personal Tribute
Kate also paid homage to her children during this visit by wearing a necklace featuring their initials. The necklace, a ‘Personalised Gold Midnight Moon Necklace’ by Daniella Draper worth £1,070, bore the letters ‘G, L, C’ in honor of her children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
Addiction Awareness Week Theme
This visit coincided with Addiction Awareness Week, with the theme ‘Everybody Knows Somebody.’ The aim of this theme is to shed light on the broad spectrum of individuals in society affected by addiction.
Princess’ Engagement at HMP High Down
During her visit, the Princess shadowed a family’s typical experience when visiting the prison, starting with the necessary security procedures. HMP High Down is categorized as a men’s prison and young offender institution, housing approximately 1,100 prisoners. Kate learned about the impact of incarceration on families and the recent efforts made by the institution to improve the experience for children, in particular.
Engaging with Forward Trust
The Princess also engaged with serving prisoners associated with The Forward Trust, discussing their experiences and the support they receive from the charity and the prison itself. The Forward Trust delivers a range of services at HMP High Down tailored to the needs of its residents, including programs like The Bridge and Stepping Stones, aimed at addressing substance misuse.
The Clink and Recovery Celebration
Before concluding her visit, Kate visited The Clink, an on-site restaurant at the prison that trains prisoners in hospitality. Here, she met with former prisoners and Forward Trust alumni, gaining insights into their recovery journeys from addiction. Guests in attendance celebrated the notion that recovery is achievable for individuals grappling with addiction.
Princess’ Dedication to Addiction Charities
Kate Middleton’s involvement with addiction charities for over a decade has laid the foundation for her understanding of the complexities of mental health and has significantly informed her work on early childhood development. The Forward Trust, a charity working towards breaking the cycle of addiction, became one of her Patronages in June 2021 when it merged with Action on Addiction, one of her initial Patronages established in 2012.
The Impact of The Clink and Forward Trust
HMP High Down is home to The Clink, a public restaurant run by prisoners in collaboration with The Clink Charity. Prisoners here receive training in cooking, food service, and cleaning, along with post-release mentoring to support their employment and housing needs. The Forward Trust extends its services to 25 UK prisons, addressing issues ranging from substance misuse and mental health to employment and housing assistance, ultimately helping clients reconnect with friends and family, including their children.
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