Prince Harry was given a rock star reception when he stepped out at the Heads Together training day in Newcastle on February 21.
Despite the freezing temperatures, well-wishers queued for hours to catch a glimpse of the 32-year-old.
Julie Cain, 53, and Maria Scott, 46, set up camp at 8am and kept cosy in Union Jack flags.
“We’re big royalists, but we love Harry especially,” Julie explained to The Daily Mail.
Proving he’s a true prince, the royal mingled with the crowd before delivering a powerful speech on mental health at the Virgin Money headquarters in Newcastle.
Teaming up with Walking With The Wounded and Heads Together, Harry has been campaigning to change the dialogue around mental health.
With the help of Prince William and Duchess Catherine, the royal trio are encouraging punters to run the London marathon on behalf of Heads Together and raise funds for the organisation.
Fans in Newcastle camped out for nearly four hours to meet Harry.
Clearly touched by the warm reception, the 32-year-old takes a moment to soak it all in.
Speaking to the audience in Newcastle, Harry explained: “None of us can get through a mental health difficulties without being willing to have a conversation and being able to admit that we might need some help.”
“William, Catherine and I started this campaign because we saw that fear of judgement, stigma, and outdated prejudice meant that too many people stayed quiet about their mental health challenges.”
“And we saw that this fear of even talking about a problem often meant that issues could quickly escalate out of hand. How is it that for most, the first time mental health is talked about is when they’re already suffering?”
Hey Meghan, your boy is a natural with kids. Just an FYI…
Drawing from his own experiences in the army, the fifth-in-line-to throne added: “What I’ve learned through my work with the Army’s Personnel Recovery Unit, is that this need to be seen as tough and invincible can follow you home from the battlefield.”
“And when the truth is – no one is invincible and anyone who is repeatedly exposed to stress and trauma will need help with their mental health, this pride can become very dangerous.”
Finishing off his keynote address, the former Captain Wales urged the community to look out for one another.
“So please, when you go back to your desks speak to your colleagues about how you cope with stress.”
The royal is on a mission to encourage people to speak about mental health.
“When you go home tonight, maybe tell your kids that sometimes you struggle with your emotions and that it is OK to talk about it. Or instead, maybe pick up the phone to a friend who you suspect may be finding it hard to admit that something isn’t right.”
“If we are all willing to have these conversations, we will end the stigma around mental health once and for all. That’s what Heads Together is trying to achieve – removing the stigma to pave the way for better access to services that can help.”
We’re not crying, you’re crying.
