Princess Kate Shared a Moving Message to Mark Addiction Awareness Week: "I Know This Was Not a Choice"
The battle against addiction is important to the Princess of Wales.


Princess Kate continues her great work on the battle against addiction.
The Princess of Wales has shared a poignant message to royal followers and those affected by addiction alike via The Forward Trust's YouTube channel, in a significant gesture to mark the beginning of Addiction Awareness Week.
Kate has been working on this important cause since 2012, when she became a patron for Action on Addiction, which later merged with The Forward Trust in 2021.
As such, the princess has met many individuals and families whose lives have been affected by addiction, and is on a mission to destigmatize this experience to help those who need support access it without shame.
"Addiction is a serious mental health condition that can happen to anyone, no matter what age, gender, race or nationality," Kate begins.
In the video, she speaks directly into the camera while wearing a dark blue polka-dotted button-up shirt with a white collar by Tory Burch, which the Daily Mail reports she wore for the first time last year.
Sequences of the princess speaking are interspersed with footage of her visits over the years to charities working to combat addiction.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
"As patron of The Forward Trust, I have met many people who've suffered from the effects of addiction," she continues.
"Attitudes to addiction are changing, but we're not there yet, and we need to be. Still, the shame of addiction is stopping people and families asking for help, and people are still tragically losing their lives. We as a society need to recognize that the only way to help those suffering is to try and understand what has led them to addiction. To empathize with them, and to be compassionate to their struggles."
She then appeals directly to those affected by addiction.
"And so today, during Addiction Awareness Week, I want to share a message of support to those who are continuing to suffer," she says.
"Please know that addiction is not a choice. No one chooses to become an addict. I want you to know that this is also a serious health condition. Please do not let shame hold you back from getting the help you so desperately need.
"The charities leading the Taking Action on Addiction campaign, along with others, are working across the country delivering life-changing work to help people recover and move forward. They are here for you, so please ask for help. I know this was not a choice. Recovery is possible."
Iris Goldsztajn is a London-based journalist, editor and author. She is the morning editor at Marie Claire, and her work has appeared in the likes of British Vogue, InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Refinery29 and SELF. Iris writes about everything from celebrity news and relationship advice to the pitfalls of diet culture and the joys of exercise. She has many opinions on Harry Styles, and can typically be found eating her body weight in cheap chocolate.
-
Harry Was Allegedly Crushed When William Received "Special Treatment"
"Poor Harry's face across the table," Princess Diana's former butler recalled.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Prince Harry Wasn't Informed About King Charles's Hospitalization
"It looks like the duke only found out about his father's latest health update through the media."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Jennifer Lawrence Styles a $7,500 Outfit With $100 Sneakers
The actress paired Prada and Celine with her $100 footwear.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Princess Diana's Wedding Gown Was Inspired by a Supermodel's "Fairytale" Dress—And the Original Is Now on eBay
You'll never believe the price.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Prince Charles Found One Aspect of Marriage With "Mercurial" Princess Diana "Difficult to Cope With"
A former royal journalist opened up about her encounters with the late royal.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Princess Diana Saw Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson's Divorce as a "Roadmap of How to Mess It Up"
The late princess used her brother-in-law and sister-in-law's split as a learning opportunity for her own breakup.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
The Surprising Detail About Princess Diana's Earrings You Probably Missed at Kate Middleton's Latest Appearance
The Princess of Wales wore her late-mother-in-law's pearl drops for Commonwealth Day 2025.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
7 Times the Royal Family Broke Queen Elizabeth's More Understated "Rule"
These royal women are doing it their way.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Americans Have a Surprising Favorite Member of the Royal Family, Per Latest Poll—and It Isn't Princess Kate
The rankings are wildly different than the same U.K. survey.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Inside Princess Diana's Secret Island Getaways—And How They Differed From William and Kate's
The late royal enjoyed (mostly) private vacations thanks to one man's help.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Princess Diana's Former Lover Speaks Out on Harry and William "Rift" in Rare Interview
James Hewitt shared his thoughts on how Diana would've handled the situation.
By Kristin Contino Published