Audiences, including Kate Middleton herself, roared into laughter as tv host Dec Donnelly mistakenly introduced the duchess as ‘Her Majesty’ instead of ‘Her Royal Highness’ at a charity event yesterday.

The 39-year old Queen in waiting was in attendance at the Forward Trust event held at the BAFTA Headquarters to give a keynote speech for the drug and alcohol dependency charity the Forward Trust.

The duchess was wearing an £845 pleated scarlet midi skirt from Christopher Kane and a matching fitted turtleneck which she accessorized with towering Ralph Lauren point-toe pumps and a £295 micro-handbag from DeMellier.


Prior to her speech, the duchess was introduced by Ant and Dec. However, Dec found himself stumbling as he accidentally introduced her as ‘Her Majesty’ which sent the audience erupting in laughter.

The TV host then jokingly added: “I've just promoted you there, rather prematurely.”

Ant, who was just standing behind the chuckling TV host, joined the laughter adding: “That must happen all the time.”

Dec responded: “It doesn't happen to me. We'll be hearing from Her Royal Highness, rather, very shortly.”

'Then we'll watch a very powerful short film that challenges the perception of addictions.'

The royal shared a laugh with the duo earlier in the day as she was surprised by them prior to the event.

Upon arriving at the BAFTA Headquarters, the duchess was whisked into a room and rounded the corner to bump into the TV presenters.

“We feel like we are hiding at a surprise birthday party”' the duo said as they surprised Kate.

The duchess responded with her hand clutched to her chest: “I felt like I was walking into a Bushtucker trial!”

The royal then went on to speak with Ant who himself struggled with his battle with alcohol and drug dependency before he admitted himself to rehab following a drink-drive crash in 2018.

The 45-year old told Kate that he was in a bad place by the time he sought help.

Ant added: 'But as soon as you open up to people, problems have got to disappear.’

‘It gets better and help is there.'
The radiant duchess spoke about how 'anyone' can fall victim to addiction and called for greater understanding of those who are battling with it.

“Addiction is not a choice. No one chooses to become an addict. But it can happen to any one of us. None of us are immune,” Kate said, launching the Forward Trust 'Taking Action on Addiction' campaign.

“Yet it’s all too rarely discussed as a serious mental health condition. And seldom do we take the time to uncover and fully understand its fundamental root causes.”
Kate also talked about how addiction can affect society saying: “The journey towards addiction is often multi-layered and complex. But, by recognising what lies beneath addiction, we can help remove the taboo and shame that sadly surrounds it.”

“As a society, we need to start from a position of compassion and empathy. Where we nurture those around us, understand their journey, and what has come before them.”

“We need to value and prioritise care and support, helping to restore and connect individuals who are clearly suffering, to the people around them.”

The royal then spoke to families of recovered addicts and heard more about the services offered by the initiative.