The royal fab four is back together for an important project. The Cambridges and the Sussexes may have gone their separate ways in many matters of charity and public service, but this subject is one that's important to all parties involved. Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince Harry, and Meghan Markle all lent their voices to a powerful PSA on mental health.
The PSA is part of a new initiative with Britain’s National Health Service (NHS), called Every Mind Matters. The royals aren't the only ones who spoke out for the cause. They have been joined by a number of the United Kingdom's favorite television personalities, actors, and star athletes. The initiative is sponsored by a number of mental health organizations and programs, including the royals' own Heads Together initiative. The online program hopes to help people learn skills and develop a plan to stay on top of their own mental health needs, as well as supporting others in their mental health journey.
It's been a long time since we've seen Prince William, Prince Harry, Kate Middleton, and Meghan Markle team up for a project. The couples have each been focused on carving their own paths as they forge ahead.
Wiliam and Kate are on one path, trying to figure out what the future of the monarchy will look like when they — and eventually their children — rule. Harry and Meghan, on the other hand, are trying to define their roles in the royal family by focusing on the causes that matter to them.
Despite their diverging paths, the four have come together for a special cause. Each member of the fab four has lent their voice to a new mental health PSA f0r a new initiative by Britain’s National Health Service (NHS).
The initiative is called Every Mind Matters. It's being backed by a number of mental health charities, including the royals' own Heads Together initiative. William, Harry, and Kate launched the charity in 2016 but have struggled to get it the attention it deserves because of the sensitive subject matter.
Every Mind Matters is an online program that helps people take the necessary steps to maintain their mental well-being. The website helps users create an individualized mental health plan, including self-care actions that can improve the quality of a struggling person's life.
The PSA was produced by Richard Curtis, who directed Love Actually and Notting Hill, and British photographer Rankin. While a 60-second version is now available online, the full two-and-a-half-minute version will air at 8:45 p.m. Monday evening on all major TV networks in the UK.
"Everyone knows that feeling when life gets on top of us," Prince William says in the opening moments of the ad as it scans the black-and-white set faces of a number of the solemn public figures who participated.
"We feel stressed, low, anxious, or have trouble sleeping," adds Prince Harry. "We think there is nothing to be done, nothing we can do about it." As his voice rings out, we see people showing some of the physical signs of mental distress.
"But now, there's a new way to help turn things around," says Meghan as the ad turns to color. "Every Mind Matters will show you simple ways to look after your mental health," she explains.
"It will get you started with a free online plan designed to help you deal with stress, boost your mood, improve your sleep, and feel more in control," adds Kate as we see some of the activities people can do to help themselves when they're struggling.
"We can all benefit from taking simple steps to look after our mental health," says William before a few other famous faces chime in before the public service announcement's close. The result is a very powerful video.
Believe it or not, the fab four teamed up on a mental health initiative earlier this year. The two couples teamed up on a mental health crisis hotline called Shout. The text service provides free 24/7 access to trained volunteers who can help talk someone through a terrifying time.
Each of the members of the royal family recorded the audio for the commercial last month, with Richard visiting them to record their parts at their respective homes at Kensington Palace and Frogmore Cottage.
Fans of the royal family are always overjoyed to see this generation of royals working together for important causes. While the two brothers and their wives are indeed on separate paths, we look forward to more of this kind of work from the four of them in the future.
