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The Duke of Cambridge addresses Princess Diana's bulimia in new documentary

Photo credit: Getty
Photo credit: Getty

From Harpers Bazaar UK

The Duke of Cambridge says he is "absolutely" proud of Princess Diana for speaking out about her battle with bulimia in a new documentary for Channel 4. William features in Wasting Away: The Truth about Anorexia with former ITN newsreader Mark Austin and his daughter Maddy, who was dangerously ill with the eating disorder.

In a clip from the film, Maddy tells the Duke of Cambridge how "inspired" she was by Diana talking openly about her illness in her famous 1995 interview with Martin Bashir.

"We do need to talk about it and share these things, and be and upfront and matter of fact about it, and not ashamed or hide in the dark where it festers and gets worse and worse and worse," William replies.

"That's amazing because that was 22 years ago, I mean, who was talking about it then?" journalist Austin reflects, before asking: "Do you feel proud about that?"

"Absolutely – these things are illnesses," William continues. "Mental health needs to be taken as seriously as physical health.

"Eating disorders have always been a problem for many young women and men as well or although that's probably less spoken about... As a father just not knowing what to do, I can relate to that – you feel very helpless initially."

Austin admits he took his "eye off the ball" with his daughter Maddy, and advises William to watch Prince George and Princess Charlotte as they grow up.

"Totally," William responds. "And I hope George and Charlotte can grow up in a wold where mental health is completely normalised, where we can all talk about this very openly and honestly."

Photo credit: Nicky J Sims / Rex Features
Photo credit: Nicky J Sims / Rex Features

William and Kate Middleton and Prince Harry created the Heads Together charity campaign last year to eliminate stigma surrounding mental health, and to start a conversation about mental health issues.

Wasting Away: The Truth About Anorexia airs on Channel 4 on Thursday, at 10pm.

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