Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, made her way to the BAFTA headquarters in central London this morning to address an event organized by addiction charity The Forward Trust.
As the patron of the organization since June, Kate took part in an important discussion surrounding addiction and the need for support.
For this significant occasion, the Duchess chose a vibrant red pleated midi skirt paired with a fitted turtleneck in a matching shade.
Completing her ensemble were pointe-toe n^de pumps and a £295 microhandbag from D’Amelia.
Joining her at the event were popular TV presenters Ant and Dec, accompanied by their wives, Anne-Marie and Ali Astall.
During the event, Kate listened intently as Ant shared his personal experience with addiction and the importance of seeking help.
The Forward Trust, along with other partners, launched the Taking Action on Addiction campaign, a long-term initiative aimed at raising awareness and understanding of addiction.
The campaign also seeks to address the scale of addiction within British society and ensure that more individuals can access the help they need.
While Kate has only been collaborating with The Forward Trust since earlier this year, she has been actively involved in understanding addiction and working with other charities for several years.
Previously, Taking Action on Addiction operated independently, with Kate as its patron from 2012 until May of this year.
It has now merged with The Forward Trust, which continues to provide addiction support services.
At the star-studded event, Kate had the opportunity to meet beneficiaries of the charity and hear their personal stories of addiction.
Her engagement coincides with Addiction Awareness Week, taking place from October 18th to 24th.
During her keynote speech, the Duchess emphasized the importance of combatting misinformation and misunderstanding surrounding addiction, as well as the need for greater compassion in addressing the issue.
“I am delighted to be here today to launch the Take Action on Addiction campaign,” Kate expressed.
“I am grateful to those who have shared their experiences of addiction with me.
Addiction is not a choice, and it can happen to anyone.
None of us are immune.”
She further highlighted the significance of understanding the root causes of addiction, particularly the impact of early childhood experiences.
Additionally, she warned about the devastating effect the coronavirus pandemic has had on addiction rates.