Kate Middleton Overcomes Her Fear of Public Speaking to Make a Rare Address on Mental Health

The Duchess of Cambridge famously admitted that she's terrified of public speaking, but she got over it to deliver an important address on children's mental health in London on Wednesday.

"I know that I was lucky," she said to a group of school officials at the Place2BE Headteacher Conference. "My parents and teachers provided me with a wonderful and secure childhood where I always knew I was loved, valued, and listened to. But of course many children are not so lucky. Since beginning my work in areas like addiction, for example, I have seen time and time again that the roots of poor mental health in adulthood are almost always present in unresolved childhood challenges. I am sure you will agree that all children deserve time, attention and love from the adults in their lives. These basic qualities are so much more valuable than the always-changing material and social concerns that can seem so important to young people."

The Mirror reports that the speech was her longest to date.

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