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The Princess of Wales discusses the power of relationships during visit to Anna Freud

  • 2 minutes to read
  • Published on 27 November 2025

Our Patron joined families, experts and other special guests to explore the importance of connection for preventing mental health problems.

27/11/2025. London, UK. The Princess of Wales during a visit to children’s mental health charity Anna Freud, of which she is Patron. The Princess met the charity's Chief Executive, Professor Eamon McCrory, and discussed how Anna Freud is transforming mental health care for babies, children and young people through science, collaboration and clinical innovation. Her Royal Highness also met parents and carers helping to shape a new project from The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood. The Princess then joined roundtable discussions with experts from Anna Freud, young people, educators and other guests on how to create communities where strong relationships can flourish, children and young people’s wellbeing can be better supported, and mental ill health is prevented. Picture by Ryan Jenkinson / Kensington Palace

Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales visited Anna Freud, one of her charitable patronages, today (27 November) to attend an event exploring the power of relationships for building better mental health and wellbeing in children and young people.

Her Royal Highness has been the patron of Anna Freud - a charity that is transforming mental health care for children and young people through science, collaboration and clinical innovation - since 2016.

During the visit, Her Royal Highness joined roundtable discussions with experts from Anna Freud, young people, education staff and other guests. The conversation focused on how to create communities where strong relationships can flourish, children and young people’s wellbeing can be better supported, and mental ill health is prevented.

Research indicates that people who are more socially connected – whether that’s with friends, family or their wider community – have fewer mental health problems than those who are less well connected and are physically healthier, too.1,2,3

However, young people in Britain are more likely to report feelings of loneliness than any other age group, with 70% of 18–24-year-olds reporting they feel lonely at least some of the time.4 And with 1 in 5 children and young people in England estimated to have a mental health condition, there is an urgent need for more opportunities for connection.5

The Princess met parents and carers helping to shape a new project to support knowledge and skills amongst health visitors and those who work alongside them. The initiative, led by Anna Freud with The Institute of Health Visiting and commissioned by The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, will create an ambitious workforce development programme which aims to boost children's social and emotional development.

The programme will focus on how to make a difference for babies and children who are most at risk of reaching the age of five without the social and emotional skills they need for a happy, healthy life. The parents and carers had been taking part in a co-production workshop to make sure the programme is shaped by their real experiences, needs and priorities.

27/11/2025. London, UK. The Princess of Wales during a visit to children’s mental health charity Anna Freud, of which she is Patron. The Princess met the charity's Chief Executive, Professor Eamon McCrory, and discussed how Anna Freud is transforming mental health care for babies, children and young people through science, collaboration and clinical innovation. Her Royal Highness also met parents and carers helping to shape a new project from The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood. The Princess then joined roundtable discussions with experts from Anna Freud, young people, educators and other guests on how to create communities where strong relationships can flourish, children and young people’s wellbeing can be better supported, and mental ill health is prevented. Picture by Ryan Jenkinson / Kensington Palace

Professor Eamon McCrory, CEO of Anna Freud, said:

“Good mental health is grounded in relationships, whether that’s with parents, friends, teachers or other professionals. Strengthening these bonds is essential for protecting wellbeing and preventing mental health problems in children and young people.

“It’s been wonderful to explore ways we can improve these key relationships with our Patron, who is deeply committed to building wellbeing as early as possible. From providing more mental health training to professionals working with young people, to creating more opportunities for connection within schools and communities, we can create the conditions to help every single child, no matter their background, thrive.”

About Anna Freud

To learn more about Anna Freud and how we’re transforming mental health care for children and young people visit, our About us page.