Cambridges get personal for Mental Health Minute broadcast: 'I'm Catherine. And I'm William'

Watch: Cambridges encourage country to 'lift someone out of loneliness'

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have shared a special message as part of their involvement in Mental Health Awareness Week, which runs from the 9th-15th May.

The Royal Family members led the Mental Health Minute at 11am, which is an initiative set up by Radiocentre in partnership with the Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and broadcast to over 20 million people across 500 radio stations.

For their special broadcast, the royal couple got personal and used their first names - not titles - to introduce themselves.

"Hello, I'm Catherine," the duchess began. "And I'm William," chimed in the duke.

Continuing in this manner, the pair split the rest of the broadcast between the two of them.

"We're all in different places right now. Not just physically but mentally. We can all feel lonely sometimes. No matter who or where we are, we can feel it for many different reasons, but we can all help each other feel less isolated and more connected.

"The past two years have really reminded us of the importance of human relationships. So if you think someone you know might be feeling lonely, just give them a room. Send them a text or knock on the door. Maybe suggest meeting for a cup of tea or a walk because these small acts of kindness can make a big difference and help us all feel less lonely.

"So, apologies for interrupting every radio station in the country. But if we interrupt the lives of those who are feeling alone, we can help lift them out of loneliness."

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This is the fifth year that the couple have featured in the Minute and this year, for the first time, they were the sole speakers.

The 2022 minute is in support of Better Health - Every Mind Matters, and will offer NHS-approved tips and advice to help people combat mental health struggles and tackle loneliness, which is the overall theme of this year's Mental Health Awareness Week.

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The topic is of vital importance right now considering it is affecting more and more people in the UK, and had a huge impact on the nation’s physical and mental wellbeing during the pandemic.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been focussed on raising awareness about the issues surround mental health of late.

Watch: Prince William makes joke about 'broody' wife Catherine

This week the royal couple took part in a two-day visit to Scotland, with engagements focusing on mental health, as part of a UK-wide tour to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee this year.

The duke and duchess met those whose mental health had been impacted by homelessness, with the Prince William pictured giving a heartfelt hug to an elderly gentleman.

Later they visited the University of Glasgow where they heard how students have been supporting each other during the pandemic and the city’s community struggling to get online.

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Earlier the Duke of Cambridge joked about his wife becoming broody when they visited a school where she cuddled a baby, sang along with children and spoke to young pupils.

On a visit to St John’s Primary School, the duchess joined a Roots of Empathy session at the school and was seen cuddling an 18-month old baby as they learned how to build their understanding of the baby’s needs and emotions.

Last week, the Duchess of Cambridge appeared in a video to announce her new role as patron of the Maternal Mental Health Alliance (MMHA), an organisation supporting the mental health of mothers.

The MMHA is a UK-wide charity and network of more than 100 organisations, dedicated to ensuring women and families affected by perinatal (usually the period of time from pregnancy to a year after birth) mental problems have access to high-quality and comprehensive care and support.