'Never underestimate the difference you can make': William joined by Kate for launch of of suicide prevention toolkit
Sports stars, including Harry Kane, Dame Kelly Holmes and Dame Laura Kenny, joined the future king to launch the On Your Side toolkit
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The Princess of Wales made a surprise appearance on Thursday as she joined William in Liverpool to launch the royal's new suicide prevention toolkit.
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William was due to attend the event at Everton Football Club solo, as he hosted the who's who of the sporting world for the launch of online resources aimed at grassroots players, professionals, organisations and fans.
But unannounced, Kate stepped from their chauffeur-driven vehicle with William after it pulled into the grounds of Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The launch is the first joint royal event the couple have undertaken since their summer break and the return of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to the UK.
A video promoting the toolkit was screened for the first time earlier, featuring England captain Harry Kane and other leading competitors urging the sporting world to adopt the online resource.
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Announcing the launch of the toolkit, called On Your Side, the future King spoke directly to the public to "never underestimate the difference that you can make".
He continued: "We do not always see what is happening behind closed doors or understand the battles that may be taking place beneath the surface.
"That is why kindness matters, why checking in matters, and why simply asking someone how they are can make more of a difference than we realise."
Prince William finished by speaking directly to "anyone listening today who is struggling, who feels overwhelmed, isolated or without hope".
He said: "Please know this: you are not alone.
"There are people who care about you, people who want to help, and support is available.
"Reaching out is not a sign of weakness, it is a sign of strength."
William said that suicide was "one of the greatest challenges facing our society.
"Many people will have felt the impact of this personally."
The future King went on to praise the ability of sport to "reach people in ways few other sectors can".
"Every week, hundreds of thousands of people walk through the gates of stadiums and arenas. Millions more gather in clubhouses, sports halls, gyms, and community centres."
He said it was often "a friend, a coach, a colleague, a teammate" to first notice when a person is struggling with their mental health.
William said the toolkit would provide sports groups with "clear, practical, and evidence-based guidance" to help connect people with support "before they reach crisis'.
He said: "Sport has the ability to reach people who may never walk through the door of a mental healthcare service, people who may never seek support themselves and may be struggling in silence."
"Whether you are an athlete, a coach, a parent, a volunteer, an official, or a supporter, you may be the person who notices, the person who asks the question, the person who helps someone find the support that they need."
In a foreword to the toolkit, called On Your Side, Prince William said: “Through my work on mental health, I have met people whose lives have been changed forever by suicide.
“But I have also met people whose lives have been saved because someone stepped in to help. Each of their experiences has had a profound impact on me.”
At the launch, the Football Association, which William supports as patron, will commit to embedding the toolkit across the organisation, including its community and grassroots football network.
The Premier League and British Cycling will announce their commitment to prioritising suicide prevention and Team GB will use the resource with all athletes and staff.
William goes on to write: “Whatever your role – athlete, coach, parent, official or supporter – you may be the person who notices that someone is struggling.
“You could be the one who starts an honest conversation, and who helps that person to find the support they need.
“This toolkit gives you clear, practical guidance to do exactly that. I hope that On Your Side encourages everyone in sport, in every discipline and at every level, to make suicide prevention part of your game plan.”