Why Wills and Kate want their children to be just like ‘hero’ Harry
PRINCE William has said he wants children Prince George and Princess Charlotte to grow up feeling free to talk about their emotions.
The Duke of Cambridge said he and the Duchess hope three-year-old George and Charlotte, who will be two on May 2, will be part of a new generation able to talk about their feelings more easily.
His comments came a day after his brother Prince Harry revealed he had received counselling to help overcome his grief at the death of his mother Princess Diana.
William, 34, said: “Catherine and I are clear that we want both George and Charlotte to grow up feeling able to talk about their emotions and feelings.
“Emotional intelligence is key for us all to deal with the complexities of life and relationships.”
His comments came during an interview with the magazine of a male suicide prevention charity, Campaign Against Living Miserably.
The future King told CALMzine: “For too long there has been a taboo about talking about some important issues. If
you were anxious it was because you were weak.
“If you couldn’t cope with whatever life threw at you, it’s because you were failing. Successful, strong people don’t suffer like that, do they? But, of course, we all do.”
He added: “Sometimes emotions have to be put to one side to get the job done but if you have been through an especially traumatic or stressful situation, it is essential to talk it through after the event.
“In my work with the East Anglian Air Ambulance we see things each day that can really take their toll.
“If I have had a tough day at work I talk to my friends and colleagues about it.
“We’re encouraged to talk it through with each other and to let someone know if we are feeling overwhelmed or unable to cope.”
William said role models were important in helping young people to speak more openly about mental health problems in an effort to cut the number of young men who commit suicide – the biggest killer of males aged under 45.
He also hailed the chart-topping British hip-hop star Stormzy for speaking out about his battle with mental illness.
He added: “The recent interview with Stormzy about his depression was incredibly powerful and will help young men feel that it’s a sign of strength to talk about and look after your mind as well as your body.
“There may be a time and a place for the stiff upper lip, but not at the expense of your health.”
Stormzy – real name Michael Omari – discussed his depression in an interview with Channel 4 News on March 1 as his debut album, Gang Signs & Prayer, went to number one in the charts.
He said his struggle with depression had made him realise how fragile humans were.
He added: “I always saw myself as this strong person who just deals with life. I get on with it – and if something gets me low, I pick myself up.
“That’s been my philosophy. Even down to the point where one of my closest friends who was suffering from it, I used to dismiss him.
“What convinced me to talk about it was the fact that if there’s anyone out there going through it, I think to see that I went through it would help.”