Content warning: suicide, depression

Princess Kate once wore special earrings.

In June 2023, the Princess of Wales visited players and staff at Maidenhead Rugby Club as part of the Shaping Us campaign. There, the Princess met a woman named Sarah Renton, who coaches the under-14 boys at the club. Renton was the mother of teenage rugby player Issy Phipps, who had tragically died earlier that year by suicide.

The two women had a beautiful exchange in which the princess took a picture of her embracing her bereaved mother, and Renton gave Kate a pair of star-shaped earrings made by her cousin Sophie McGown, the founder of EAR SASS.

The earrings are named after Issy, and a portion of the proceeds from each will be donated to Brave Mind, a mental health charity that focuses on supporting the mental health of people in the UK rugby community

: Kate was in the UK last year for World Mental Health Day and wore a pair of star earrings. She was also photographed wearing the jewelry when she and her husband Prince William visited the Bisham Abbey National Sports Center.

“On World Mental Health Day last year, she was obviously waiting and knew what she was getting into and wore it in honor of Issy.

“We all knew she would wear them at some point, but we were kind of sidetracked.

Thanks to Kate's support, “for charity, we've now raised just over £15,000,” McGown said. 'The money will go towards education. The charity is educating schools, rugby clubs, colleges and football clubs to spot the signs of suicide.

If you or someone you know is suffering from depression or suicide, contact 988 Lifeline or visit the National Mental Health Alliance website for information and resources.