Kate brought back an Emilia Wickstead dress for today’s engagement at the Global Summit on Mental Health Culture Change.

A video of the Duke and Duchess arriving.

Ahead of tomorrow’s #WorldMentalHealthDay2018 The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive at the first Global Ministerial Mental Health Summit, which aims to promote better mental health for all. pic.twitter.com/G4HqxuseuU

— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) October 9, 2018

The event kicked off today, one day before World Mental Health Day This graphic offers details about the summit. 

This was the first joint engagement for the Duke and Duchess since Kate returned from maternity leave.

Simon Perry has additional information in his People story:

The royal couple, whose Heads Together initiative alongside Prince Harry has helped mainstream mental health discussions, attended the first meeting of its kind to unite politics, academics and health policy-makers on Tuesday.

The inaugural Global Ministerial Mental Health Summit, co-hosted by the British government and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), aims to help countries work together to address mental health issues.

More from Rebecca English’s Daily Mail story:

Around one in four people globally will experience a mental health problem at same time in their life.

Mental illness is also the biggest cause of lost economic output, with an estimated cost to the global community of nearly $2.5 trillion a year.

Helping countries work together on finding ways to deal with the stigma attached to mental health issues is a key part of the gathering.

William and Kate sat on a “Friendship Bench,” part of a program in Zimbabwe that teaches elderly women skills they need to become lay health workers.

The need is great. There are only 10 psychiatrists serving Zimbabwe’s population of 13 million, 70% of whom live below the poverty line. Here you see the pair with Elisha London, who heads up the project.

The duo attended a workshop where they heard about a US initiative providing mental health assistance for mothers. The program is called MOMS (Mental Health Outreach for Mothers).

They also spoke with attendees and delegates.

From The Daily Mail:

William asked one delegate: ‘Have you noticed a shift in attitude in the last few years and months. Have you notice a general change, can you see this the shift? Are we slowly waking up to mental health? ‘ Kate asked another: ‘What’s the best way to access (help)? Is it online, apps?’

Rebecca English shared a video of the couple with artist Dairo Vargas, who was working on a mural about the summit.

— Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) October 9, 2018

Kate clearly enjoyed painting.

After she finished she gave Prince William her paintbrush. Simon Perry reports “…she handed it over to her husband, who was clearly unsure in his artistic abilities. “This is how you probably ruin a picture,” he warned.”

More from The Daily Mail:

He said the concept for his painting was from the idea that mental health issues can stem from loneliness but those who experience issues always have someone to turn to.

‘I had always rather hoped they might have a go but didn’t know until the day that they would,’ he said. ‘I think I am going to leave their contributions untouched!’

Now to what Kate wore for today’s mental health summit, starting with her Emilia Wickstead a-line crepe dress.

The piece is crafted of a mid-weight wool. It features a boat neckline, fitted bodice with front and back darts, full skirt, self-belt and back zipper. The Duchess first wore the dress last July, as the Cambridges were leaving Hamburg, Germany.

A closer look at Kate today and last July.

Thoughts on today’s ensemble from a story by The Telegraph’s senior fashion editor Charlie Gowans-Eglinton.

The dress was one Kate had worn before, on a trip to Germany in July 2017. So far, so classic Kate – the Duchess is known for recycling outfits and, by doing so, showing the value of investing in timeless pieces to the many women who look to her for style inspiration. The message that she’s sending about slow fashion is an admirable and pleasingly realistic one while the addition of a different bag updated the look.

The frock is now called the “Kate” dress and it is available at Matches Fashion in Red (on sale for $1214, but only available in very limited sizing); it is also offered in Navy Blue ($1745) as well as Baby Soft Pink ($1745).

Not only did Kate repeat her dress, but Prince William was also in the same suit worn in Hamburg that day.

And the same tie. 

The Duchess was in the same shoes (although it might be a newer pair) worn in Hamburg, the Gianvito Rossi 105 pumps on Praline (€555, roughly $640 at today’s exchange rates).

Kate carried a new handbag today, Aspinal’s Midi Mayfair bag (£495, roughly $650) in the ‘deep shine lilac’ colorway.

The bag is done in a small croc print on Italian leather, measuring roughly 6″ x 8″ x 3.5″ deep. It features Aspinal’s signature shield lock closure, a detachable cross-body strap, and protective base feet. The bag is now available for preorder at Aspinal. Many thanks to Michelle of Perth’s Fashion as well as Elizabeth of Kate’s Closet for their ID of the bag and sharing of other info about the item.

The Duchess wore her familiar Mappin and Webb Empress Necklace and matching Empress Drop Earrings (

We’ll leave you with this video covering today’s events from On Demand News.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended the first Global Ministerial Mental Health Summit at County Hall in London.

This was Prince William and Kate’s first official joint engagement since the birth of Prince Louis. #Royals #WilliamandKate pic.twitter.com/VZL6Dt4l7O

— On Demand News (@ODN) October 9, 2018

A reminder we’ll see Kate tomorrow when she makes her first visit to the V&A in her role as Royal Patron, where she will open the museum’s new Photography Centre.

LINKAGE:

• Read about World Mental Health Day here; a UK-specific page is here
• Learn more about the Friendship Bench project on the group’s website; its Facebook page is here; the organization’s Twitter feed is here
• You can also learn about the MOMs Partnership by clicking here; a Facebook page for the entity is here and the Twitter feed here
• The Daily Mirror’s article is here; Rebecca English’s photo-laden Daily Mail story is here; the People magazine piece is here; The Telegraph’s fashion column is here
• A slideshow from The Express is here; a PopSugar gallery is here; a post by the Fug Girls is here