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"You're Very Special to Me": Kate's Tribute to Action on Addiction at Essex Centre Opening!

In her role as patron of Action on Addiction, the Duchess of Cambridge officially opened a new treatment centre in Wickford, Essex. The centre opened its doors to clients in October and hosts a rolling cycle of nine week-long addiction recovery programmes.


William and Kate wrapped up their four-day tour of Sweden and Norway last Friday before returning to London to enjoy the weekend with George and Charlotte. The Duchess, who is nearing the seventh month of her pregnancy, will likely begin her maternity leave at some point next month ahead of the baby's arrival in April. Prince George's school, Thomas's Battersea, is on half-term for a week starting Friday. I imagine the family might decamp to their country home Anmer Hall for a few days.


Kate was welcomed by representatives from the charity and locals.


The Duchess briefly got her heel stuck in a metal grate and laughed it off.


Kate caught up with Vice Lord Lieutenant of Essex Jonathan Douglas-Hughes.


He took a tumble when he met William and Kate in Harlow in 2016. Prince William rushed to help him to his feet. Douglas-Hughes told People: “I reminded her about the fall. My wife told her that she would ensure I didn’t do it again. Then she caught her heel. She said, Oh…do the same as you!’ ”


An arrival video from Victoria Murphy.


Action on Addiction offers life-saving treatment to individuals and families at its flagship treatment centre, Clouds House in Wiltshire, and at its community-based treatment centres in Essex and Liverpool. It also offers education to degree level at the Centre for Addiction Treatment Studies and funds and promotes research into effective responses to addiction. The Duchess has been Patron since 2012.


Speaking about Kate's role with the charity, they described her support as "unwavering":

"We are extremely grateful for the unwavering support HRH The Duchess of Cambridge, gives to our charity which plays such an important part in keeping the serious issue of addiction at the forefront of people’s minds. Action on Addiction was one of four charities of which The Duchess became Patron in January 2012. The Duchess' patronage continues to be pivotal in helping us develop and promote practical solutions which enable more and more people to live their lives free from addiction, and to challenge the stigma that surrounds it.
The Duchess has been instrumental in helping Action on Addiction to work in partnership with other like-minded charities so that notions of stigma and shame around addiction and other mental health issues can be challenged. Her visits to our treatment centres shine a light on the life-saving work of our expert staff, as well as providing a wonderful opportunity for our clients to tell their moving stories of living with addiction and their truly inspirational journeys to recovery."

Victoria Murphy shared a photo of the centre.


The Duchess also launched the charity's community-based recovery programme 'Clouds in the Community'. It is is a Self-Help Addiction Recovery Programme (SHARP) that provides an effective alternative to residential treatment, and enables the charity to provide services for more people in more places. 'Clouds in the Community' is the starting point for long-term recovery and abstinence, and leads to improvements in participants’ physical and psychological health, self-efficacy, and overall quality of life. Independent evaluation of the programme in Essex showed that almost 80 per cent of clients did not return to any treatment service upon completion of the scheme.


At a reception, The Duchess chatted to clients at various stages of their recovery about the benefits of 'Clouds in the Community'.


The Duchess chats with guests.


Kate's impromptu speech was very nicely done today. She looked back on the six years since she began supporting the charity and credited getting involved with Action on Addiction as "the start of my learning" which led to her work in mental health. She added: "You're very special to me."


More from Kate's speech from the Mail Online:

"It seems like a long time since I first got involved with Action On Addiction, I think it was six years ago, but they have a very special place for me and were really at the start of my learning, particularly now, with the development of my work into mental health. You are very special to me, so it's great to be here as well as seeing the development of where the charity has gone over the years gone past. Huge congratulations, I believe so passionately in community projects to I wish  Clouds in the Community all the best of success in the future."

Kate was given flowers by 21-month-old Myla Clancy. As Myla reached out for the petals, Kate said: "Have you smelt it? Let’s smell. Ah, is that nice? Thank you very much."


The moment was reminiscent of the very sweet photos we've seen of Princess Charlotte smelling flowers.


Before leaving, Kate met locals who waited for hours to see the royal. It appears the lady chatting to Kate below admired her engagement ring.


Photographer Mark Stewart tweeted "The Duchess of Cambridge told a member of the crowd in Essex today when asked if she was looking forward to Harry's wedding "Yes and now we have two with Eugenie's it's very exciting".


Kate receives a helping hand from her RPO Emma Probert.


A very nice wrap up video with footage from the arrival, reception and Kate's full speech.


Kate looked stylish in the marine blue Goat Ellory Bow Detail Coat (with thanks to Middleton Maven).


The coat falls down the body in a straight shape and has a funnel collar with a fixed bow. The piece is described as "Transition your wardrobe into the new season with our Ellory coat. The stunning marine shade echoes paradisiacal oceans and the pretty bow detailing ensures this is more than just your everyday coat". It's currently reduced from £660 to £330 on the Goat website.

GOAT

A closer look at the bow-tie detail.

GOAT

Kate carried her Beulah London Aspinal Blue Heart Clutch today.


The Ellory coat also comes in cameo pink and black.

GOAT

The £275 limited edition ‘Blue Heart’ clutch in black croc is described as "a beautiful collaboration between Aspinal of London and Beulah using Beulah’s iconic blue heart print on the interior lining. The Blue Heart clutch is a grown up classic with a timelessly elegant silhouette that works effortlessly and includes Aspinal of London’s distinctive signature shield lock clasp. The intricate metal chain is in a gold finish and adds to the functionality allowing the clutch to be held in the hand or elegantly draped over the shoulder."

Beulah London

Kate brought back her Stuart Weitzman Power pumps.


And accessorised with her gorgeous G Collins & Sons Tanzanite and Diamond earrings.


I very much enjoyed today's engagement. Wishing Action on Addiction all the best with their new centre!