Prince William of Wales, second in line to succeed Queen Elizabeth, has become the first royal to appear on the cover of a gay publication. Before the events in Orlando, he met with LGBT+ people to discuss their experience of homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying and the effect it had had on them.
The event was organized by the monthly Attitude magazine whose next edition will feature a photo of him on the cover along with a quote “No one should be bullied for their sexuality or any other reason”. It will hit the newsstands in the middle of Pride in London, just before the annual Pride March. That is one of the oldest pride events in Europe, with origins going back to 1972. Attracting people from all over the UK and beyond, it makes for an extremely mixed crowd of typically over 400,000 people.
The magazine interviewed him further;
Speaking to Attitude, the duke said: "No-one should have to put up with the kind of hate that these young people have endured in their lives.
"What I would say to any young person reading this who's being bullied for their sexuality. Don't put up with it - speak to a trusted adult, a friend, a teacher, ChildLine, Diana Award or some other service and get the help you need.
"You should be proud of the person you are and you have nothing to be ashamed of."
The Prince, along with his wife the Duchess of Cambridge (formerly Kate Middeton) and his brother Prince Harry have been working on mental health and wellbeing and have founded the Heads Together campaigning charity. The three signed a statement giving their reasons for setting it up
Through our work with young people, emergency response*, homeless charities, and with veterans, we have seen time and time again that unresolved mental health problems lie at the heart of some of our greatest social challenges.
Too often, people feel afraid to admit that they are struggling with their mental health. This fear of prejudice and judgement stops people from getting help and can destroy families and end lives. Heads Together wants to help people feel much more comfortable with their everyday mental wellbeing and have the practical tools to support their friends and family.
*Apart from his royal duties, Prince William has a “day job” as a part-time air ambulance helicopter pilot.
William and Harry’s mother, Diana did much to help people with AIDS, very publicly shaking hands with a patient at a time when fear and ignorance abounded. They continued her work by setting up, with the Lesotho royal family, the charity Sentebale in 2006, mainly led by Harry who has worked with the charity in Lesotho.
Harry is rather better known recently for founding the Invictus Games for disabled veterans which aims in part to tackle mental illness and rehabilitate through sporting activities.