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The Princess Wears Edeline Lee for Liverpool Engagement

The Princess Wears Edeline Lee for Liverpool Engagement

The Princess of Wales brought back Edeline Lee separates for an engagement with Prince William in Liverpool today. 

The royals were at Everton Football Club to mark World Suicide Prevention Day and launch a new initiative called On Your Side: A Suicide Prevention Toolkit for People in Sport.

Here is a video from Matt Wilkinson of The Sun showing the couple arriving.

 We learn more from this piece in The Telegraph by Hannah Furness. 

The Prince is spearheading a campaign to teach players, coaches, managers and fans how to help those they fear are considering suicide.

In a toolkit called On Your Side unveiled on Thursday, the Prince urged “everyone in sport, in every discipline and at every level, to make suicide prevention part of your game plan”.

The toolkit is being supported by the Royal Foundation, developed with the British Standards Institution and mental health charity Chasing the Stigma.

It is the next phase of a project which saw the Prince launch the National Suicide Prevention Network in autumn 2025, with more than £1m in funding from his foundation over an initial three-year period.

The Prince and Princess stopped at the Gary Speed Memorial Bench for a chat with his mother, Carol.

The BBC has details on the bench and late coach in this story from last fall, when the bench was unveiled. 

The death of the former Wales boss, who took his life at the age of 42 in 2011, shocked the country and footballing world following his success as a player and manager. 

The mother of former footballer Gary Speed has unveiled a "talking bench" in his memory at Everton's new stadium.

The club hopes the bench will give people a space to speak "openly" as part of efforts to tackle mental health challenges and loneliness.

They also spoke with a young man named Sam while seated on the bench. A Kensington Palace Instagram post notes that "Sam was at his lowest ebb when he first met John and the Everton in the Community team. Soon, he would credit them with saving his life." More on their conversation comes via this Daily Mail piece. 

Mrs Speed spoke about the ‘stigma’ around her son’s sudden death and the need to speak more openly. ‘Before Gary passed it was a stigma, it wasn’t spoken about and since then it seems to have come out more, people are speaking about it more,’ she said.

The princess replied: ‘Sport is such a powerful vehicle to bring people together to shine a spotlight on really important issues.’ William added that it was difficult to ‘find the language’ to speak about the issue, particularly with men: ‘It applies to everyone but men are a particularly difficult community to get to speak more about it.

‘Gary’s legacy, do you think it was a bit of a turning point, a bit of a breakthrough moment on a national level, that helps more men open up? Have you noticed the conversation changing at all, because that’s really important? The most difficult thing is getting people to speak about it, particularly suicide, so many people find it very hard to find the language to talk about it.’

‘Definitely,’ Mrs Speed replied. Catherine added: ‘Just reaching out for support, and taking that first step, is so important.’

The couple then moved inside the Everton Football Club. Below, you see them with Gabby Logan, OBE, a Welsh television presenter and former competitive gymnast.

The On Your Side initiative is described as a first-of-its-kind toolkit designed to strengthen suicide prevention across sporting environments.

The Liverpool Echo has background on the initiative in this article.

The toolkit aims to turn good intentions into everydayaction by equipping people across sport with the confidence to recognise warning signs, start supportiveconversations and connect individuals with help before they reach crisis point.

The toolkit can be used across all sporting environments, from local clubs to sports academies and elite organisations, regardless of size, structure or level. It is relevant to everyone involved in sport, including players, coaches, staff,volunteers, families and spectators.

Notable figures from the UK sports world attended today's launch. The Liverpool Echo reports they were there to "...discuss the power of sport in supporting wellbeing and resilience. Other sessions ... explore[d] common myths surrounding suicide and the importance of early intervention."

The Prince delivered remarks at the event. 

From his speech: 

Suicide remains one of the greatest challenges facing our society. Many people will have felt the impact of this personally.

You will know families whose lives have been changed forever by loss.

Today, we remember them. And we recommit ourselves to doing everything we can to prevent more families from experiencing that pain.

Sport reaches people in ways few other sectors can. Every week, hundreds of thousands of people walk through the gates of stadiums and arenas. Millions more gather in clubhouses, sports halls, gyms and community centres.

Our hope is that every sporting organisation in the country will look at what is being launched today and ask a question:

"What more can we do?"

Because the opportunity before us is enormous.

Sport has the ability to reach people who may never walk through the door of a mental healthcare service.

Below, Dame Kelly Holmes. 

And this via the Daily Mail's story. 

Former Olympic athlete and medallist Dame Kelly Holmes admitted that ‘five years ago, I had to reach out for help at 1.30 in the morning and that saved my life, because of my suicidal tendencies.’

Addressing William and Catherine in the audience, she hailed their support, saying: ‘To have the prince and princess here is immense, to have your support and platform for this, I absolutely guarantee this will be saving people’s lives.’

She added: ‘Mental health has been normalised in the last six or seven years, Suicide hasn’t, it needs to be now.’

After the activities inside concluded, the royals headed out to the pitch. 

They spent time with current and former Everton players. 

Along with mental health campaigners and supporters of the On Your Side initiative. 

And everyone posed for a group photo to memorialize the occasion.

Those interested in the On Your Side campaign can visit the website here, and you can also download the toolkit. Below is an On Your Side video. 

 

And now for our look at what Kate wore in Liverpool today.

The Princess was in separates first noted during her trip to Italy in May. Edeline Lee’s ‘Lola’ Blazer ($2020), featuring a slim cut with notched lapels, a gathered or ruched back waist, flap front pockets, a single chest pocket, and contrasting white fabric-covered buttons.

The coordinating Averill Trouser ($970) offers a fitted waistband, side pockets, a welted back pocket, and a pintuck pleat down the center of the leg. The "cornflower blue" color, as Edeline Lee calls it, is appropriate, as Everton is often referred to as "The Blues."

We saw the return of the Hugo Boss 'Staple P90-L' pumps in embossed leather, a style featuring a pointed toe and 3.4" heel.

The Princess repeated her 'Issy Star' earrings, given to the Princess in 2023 by Maidenhead Rugby Club coach Sarah Renton. The earrings were created in memory of her daughter, Issy, who took her life in 2023. The earrings were designed by Issy’s cousin, Sophie, and are available at Earsass, Sophie’s online shop. Earsass donates £5 from every pair sold to BRAVE MIND, an organization supporting young people's mental health. 

The earrings have been such a hit, the company is launching an Issy Star bracelet and Issy Star necklace this Saturday, which would have been Issy's 21st birthday. You can sign up to be notified when they're available here. 

VIDEOS:
The Royal Family Channel has more than 35 minutes of coverage in this video. 

 

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Zell

Saturday 12th of September 2026

I loved this suit when Catherine first wore it in Italy, earlier this year, and my love and admiration for it remains.

I think it's a classic suit with an intriguing twist (or two) to it. The suit is also pretty and feminine, bringing a much appreciated touch of the unique to Catherine's go-to suit style.

As such, I'm downright happy for these unexpected yet quite successful touches, that make this a suit that isn't only more of the usual thing.

The ruching in the back is one of those touches that brings a unique look to Catherine's ensemble. The ruching creates gentle gathers, for a soft ruffled effect to the bottom of the jacket, giving this suit a softer, prettier look than the typical workaday suit has.

The pants also have something unique, which is the knife edged pleats running down the front of them. These wonderful pleats look very sharp to my eyes, bringing more visual interest to Catherine's look. Not everything from the 70's was a style mistake, that's for sure!

I love Catherine's heels too, in a sleek icy gray color and pattern, that look Fabulous with her suit.

I also admire the bold necklace Catherine wears, because I always like to see more color on Catherine, and the necklace adds a touch of gleaming gold to the cornflower blue suit and cream blouse. I would even prefer the gold necklace to be a bit more chunky! As is, it's still very nice.

The Issy Star earrings are quite pretty and look Great on Catherine! They are also deeply moving, considering that they have been made by a very talented lady, to honor her cousin, who was a young victim of suicide.

I also like the Issy Star necklace and bracelet! All three pieces of Issy Star jewelry look classy and beautiful, and also have a fun aspect to them. One could easily wear them to dressy events or more informal functions.

Once again, Princess Catherine shows what a Pro she is at dressing perfectly for any event, but it's her deep caring that comes across the most. This is also true of Prince William; it's obvious to me, from his expressions of sorrow and concern, and his caring words, that the issue of suicide is very important to him.

Sue V

Friday 11th of September 2026

Goodness, what a lot of 'negative' comments! I do not mind the ruching of the jacket back but perhaps there is maybe a bit too much material that makes up the back of the jacket, there seems to be an excess of gathering esp the top half. However, the principle of it is fine i.m.o. Were the tan shoes in Italy a bit higher? This time I do think the trousers seem to drag on the ground, but the colour is lovely and, once again, it was a nice touch to wear the Issy earrings on such an engsgement.

Note to William: I do think you look rather better in a tailored suit than in navy chinos and brown suede shoes.....Just saying.

GE

Friday 11th of September 2026

The suit is ill fitting and the pants are too long on her. Why do she insist on wearing those wide legged too long pants. They are not flattering on her at all. She needs to wear pants that are more tapered and a blazer that is more fitted She really needs a stylist.

ElizaMo

Friday 11th of September 2026

The bright blue Edeline suit serves well to present Catherine in sporty light for her visit with William to a Liverpool football stadium. It is such a moving story about the former Wales boss and it is equally moving that William and Kate have felt prompted to initiate this suicide prevention kit.

The Edeline jacket continues to look well fitted from the front with the shaped waistline, although I continue to disapprove of the crude elastication at the back instead in lieu of proper tailoring. Nonetheless I can acknowledge that this gives a contemporary touch, referencing the many casual blazers often worn these days. I can’t help noticing that Catherine wore the blazer open when in Italy and has added a more serious touch this time by keeping it buttoned.

The plain white crew neck layering top is an appropriate upswitch from the previous v-neck blouse. The trousers continue to look beautifully made and fitted although it is unusual to see pintuck pleat down the legs. Perhaps another informal touch to match the ruched back. Overall it's a beautiful working suit.

The Laura Lombardi necklace is a welcome repeat adding its touch of dignity, though the most daring upgrade has to be the dramatic sideswept hair Catherine is wearing, almost a party touch, very lovely but threatening to be out of synch with the mature pant suit. I’m delighted to see the return of the Hugo Boss embossed pumps in a soft grey which tones with the outfit. Likewise, I welcome the return of the Issy earrings as a charming momento of another young life. News of the matching necklace and bracelet is most welcome.

Bonnie A

Tuesday 15th of September 2026

@ElizaMo, the jacket looked a little oversized to me this time. Your observation about it being buttoned might explain it. The movement of fabric is restricted and when she is sitting it kind of pushes up and out. I think I prefer it unbuttoned to be honest, more aligned with the casual elastic back. She still looks stunning though. I also enjoy the grey shoes to complete the look. They match ao well and provide a refreshing change from her often go-to beige pairs.

Apium

Friday 11th of September 2026

I love those shoes. Grey embossed leather is so chic, and the color coordinates with a surprising range of other shades. I've come around to the ruching on the back of the jacket, although I have a less positive opinion of other features of this suit. Regardless, it's a delight to see the Princess so frequently this week.

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