Prince William and Princess Kate paid a surprise visit to Belfast, Ireland on Thursday, stopping by a number of local organizations and charities.
During the one-day trip, the Prince and Princess of Wales—or the Baron and Baroness Carrickfergus as they’re titled locally—kicked things off with a stop at PIPS Suicide Prevention Ireland, a group that works with communities across the city and throughout Northern Ireland to provide crisis support for those at risk of suicide and self-harm. For the trip, Kate wore a baby blue Winser London pussy-bow blouse with a matching Alexander McQueen overcoat and navy trousers, while William coordinated with his wife in a pale blue button down, a cerulean sweater, and deep grey suit.
During the visit, the royal couple met and spoke with PIPS Charity staff and counsellors about the importance of the services they provide. The organization works to remove all possible obstacles for those experiencing suicidal thoughts to access the help they need. These types of steps include the organization’s “no appointment needed” policy and training its reception staff to also be able to help members of the public in distress. The prince and princess also took time to meet with one of the charity’s clients who spoke to them about the challenges they’ve personally faced and how PIPS has helped them to overcome those.
During the visit Prince William and Princess Kate were also shown some of the techniques PIPS Charity uses to help children in need, including art therapy. They were then joined by a group of volunteer counsellors as they packed up what the charity calls their “Little Boxes of Hope.” These care packages are handed out by the charity to children following their time with the charity to aid in their ongoing recovery and allow their parents and guardians to feel better equipped with helping them cope and heal going forward.
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