EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
DR ALEX GEORGE ON HIS UNFORGETTABLE ENCOUNTER WITH ROYALTY
Dr Alex George has confirmed what royal watchers may have frequently heard about the Prince and Princess of Wales: that they are “warm and kind” and “really hands-on” with their campaign for mental health.
Prince William and Kate hand-picked the TV medic, who is the Government’s Youth Mental Health ambassador, to host a panel in front of a group of 100 young people in Birmingham to mark World Mental Health Day last month.
And now, in an exclusive interview with HELLO! ahead of World Kindness Day on 13 November, Alex, 32, tells us: “I deeply respect the work that both the Prince and Princess of Wales have done in the mental health sphere and I’ve always loved the royal family.
“I really loved the late Queen. I think what she stood for, especially in hard times, was really important and special. Her speech during Covid captured the nation. I’ve got ‘We’ll meet again’ tattooed on my arm because of her. Those things carry a lot with me.
“So, there were multiple reasons why I was excited to meet the Prince and Princess – and, to be honest, very, very nervous. I stumbled on the first few words, but they were just so welcoming, so warm and kind. The loveliest people.
“I was really impressed by how long they spent with the young people and how they got involved in the activities. They were active listeners, responding, putting everyone at ease.”
SPEAKING OUT
During the event, which was hosted by the Royal Foundation in partnership with charity The Mix, Alex shared his insights about the challenges and possible solutions in youth mental health, while Kate discussed her early years goals and why World Mental Health Day mattered.
“You can tell they’ve spent a lot of time learning,” Alex tells us. “I was told by senior people in the Royal Foundation that they are involved daily, asking: ‘What are the updates? What’s going on? How’s this campaign going? How can I help?’ It’s not from a distance. They’re really hands on.”
Alex had time with the Prince and Princess before the panel, during which he thanked them for shining a light on mental health and asking him to host the panel. “It blew my mind that they knew who I was. It was really cool, really awesome. I know that they want to continue to work together.
“They’re very supportive of the things I’m doing and it’s great to have good allies in this space because I believe that not one
