Catherine, Princess of Wales, visited a new green space in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, where she met individuals recovering from addiction. The Princess, who is a patron of the Forward Trust, described the planting area at Garon Park as a "fantastic space" during her visit.
She spoke with Liam King, who leads conservation at the park, and mentioned her husband's keen interest in gardening, stating, "I should have my husband here, he knows a lot [about gardening], he's really passionate." When asked about her own gardening, the Princess replied, "a little bit."
The garden, named Forward Growing, encourages people using the Forward Trust's local treatment and recovery service to engage in growing activities. The charity aims to help people recover from addiction or move away from crime, supporting them in various aspects of life.
The visit coincided with Addiction Awareness Week, an initiative that the Princess also supports, which runs until Friday.