William fights tears as he discusses impact of suicide
Prince William could not hold back his tears as he talked about the devastating impact of suicide with a woman whose husband committed suicide in the short film released by the British royal office on World Mental Health Day.
In the film, the heir to the throne speaks to Rhian Mannings, whose husband Paul took his own life five days after the sudden death of their young son George from illness at their Cardiff home in 2012.
They discuss the need for better support for those who are bereaved or affected by suicide.
Mannings, who founded the bereavement charity 2wish to help those facing the unexpected death of a child or young adult, becomes clearly emotional after asking what she would say to her husband.
“Are you ok?”
“I sat him down like this and said, ‘Why didn’t you come to me?’ I would like to say. Because he missed so much joy and we would be fine. And I think that’s the hardest thing, we would be fine,” she told the prince, who then tried to hold back tears.
“Are you ok?” Mannings asks him.
“I’m sorry,” William replies. “It’s just so hard to ask these questions…”
“No, it’s okay. You just have kids… It’s hard… And you’ve experienced loss, too.”
In 2024, William was among the mourners at the funeral of Thomas Kingston, son-in-law of the late Queen Elizabeth’s cousin Prince Michael of Kent, who died by suicide after suffering from the adverse effects of the drug.
The film was released by the Royal Foundation, William and his wife Kate’s charity, to coincide with the launch of a National Suicide Prevention Network, which will focus on understanding the causes of suicide and providing accessible support.
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