She was there in her role as patron of the Forward Trust, an organization supporting people in recovery from "...addiction or leaving behind crime, helping them move on in life with family, friends, jobs, homes, and a sense of belonging. In the photo above, she is seen with Mike Trace, CEO of the Forward Trust. This year's theme for Addiction Awareness Week is "The Big Addiction Conversation," noting that "too many conversations about addiction never happen because of stigma, fear, and misunderstanding."

The Princess was in Southend to see the Trust's initiative called "Forward Growing." The program offers gardening classes and promotes the idea that time in nature can aid recovery.

Simon Perry's People story offers background on the Princess's work in this area. 

Princess Kate became a patron of Forward Trust in 2021, after the organization merged with Action on Addiction, which Kate had backed for much of her public life.

Supporting people and families affected by addiction has been a cornerstone of Kate’s work since almost the beginning of her royal life. Less than a year after her 2011 marriage to Prince William, she chose addiction charity Action on Addiction as one of her first four royal patronages in January 2012.

Her work in the area has also helped shape her broader focus on mental health and the early years, particularly her emphasis on how experiences and relationships early in life can have a lasting impact on wellbeing.

Forward Growing offers weekly gardening sessions at a local cricket ground that also has a nature trail. 

The Princess heard about another feature at the site from Dr. Liam King, the assistant manager, per this Telegraph story. 

Pointing to a sign that said “beehive”, the Princess, a keen beekeeper, asked whether they had hives.

Dr King explained that you can enter and experience what it is like to be a bee. “It’s mostly for kids but you’re welcome to have a look,” he told her.

“It sounds right up my street,” she laughed.

Dr King told her he had studied ecology and farming “buffer zones” to help combat climate change, prompting her to respond: “I should have my husband here. He knows more about that."

The Princess spent time meeting people using the program.

She also helped pot some plants.

The Daily Mail reports, "The scheme, which was launched in spring, is building towards the creation of a dedicated gardening area within the park. Vegetables from the area go back towards the Forward Trust site in Southend where recovering addicts learn how to prepare and cook the produce."

And from The Telegraph's coverage. 

The Princess of Wales turned down the offer of gloves to get her hands dirty during a gardening session at an addiction charity.

She helped to pot plants at Garon Park in Southend, Essex, where she sought to highlight the importance of engaging with the natural world and spending time outdoors.

When asked whether she did much gardening at home, she replied: “A little bit.”

The Princess heard personal stories from some program participants.

This Daily Mirror piece has details. 

Steph Sampson, 45, told the princess that her daughter Mia, 21, had written her a five-page letter begging her to stop drinking which she read in rehab.

Sampson has now been sober for six-and-a-half months and told Kate she got ‘goosebumps’ when her daughter told her how proud she was in a birthday card in August.

Sampson said: “Being in rehab and learning that it was an illness was a massive turning point. I could explain that to my children and my mum.” Kate told her: “It’s such a powerful message for others. Well done. It’s a shame your family isn’t here. They must be super proud.

And a final note about the organization comes from this Daily Mail piece. 

Lisa Bryer, the filmmaker behind The Last King of Scotland and trustee of Forward Trust, said that she had been clean and sober for 44 years after her well-documented battle with heroin.

She met the princess and said afterwards: 'We are so lucky to have the princess as our patron. She’s incredible.'

Speaking about the schemes run through the Forward Trust, she said: 'It works. It’s extraordinary but it’s building the structure and taking away the stigma of addiction.'

Now, for our look at what Kate wore today.

We begin with her Max Mara blazer, the brand's Wool-Cotton Jacquard Jersey Checked Blazer ($1442 originally, on sale in limited sizes for $797), a double-breasted style with a slim fit, welted front pockets, a center-back vent, and horn buttons. It is crafted from 70% virgin wool and 30% cotton in a Prince of Wales check pattern. The jacket was first noted during a June engagement with Prince George at RAF Coningsby.

The Princess brought back her Joseph 'Coleman' Stretch Trousers ($485 at Joseph), a slim-fit design in cotton-blend gabardine and a brand staple. The style is also available at Selfridges. 

The Princess appeared to wear her brown leather Emilia Wickstead belt accented with gold-tone hardware. 

And we saw the return of her Boden 'Nya' Penny Loafers ($190) in the oxblood colorway. That color is no longer available, but Boden offers several other colors and finishes at 15% off with promo code RMNV.

The Princess repeated her Cartier Trinity Earrings ($3850) and brought back her Laura Lombardi Portrait Necklace ($192), a chain-link design in 14K gold-plated brass.

Here is one more photo from today's engagement. 

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A quick retail note today: Monica Vinader is offering up to 25% off everything online this week. That means the Nura Pearl Pendant and Necklace are $160 instead of $200 for both pieces, or you can buy each individually at $80. And the Princess's Siren Green Onyx Earrings are now $160 instead of $200.

The sale is online only. 

The glittering event was at London's ODEON Leicester Square theater. Below is a video of the couple arriving. 

they both look so stun wow pic.twitter.com/LbtFhbYWQk

— nawel 🇳🇱 (@prinnywales) September 22, 2026

More about the event via this Daily Mail story. 

The last Royal Film Performance was the premiere of Gladiator II in November 2024, which was attended by King Charles and Queen Camilla.

The King is patron of the Film and TV Charity, which benefits from royal premieres. 

Tonight's event is the 73rd Royal Film Performance in the organisation's 100-year history.

The charity provides support to those across the film, television and cinema industries, many working behind the scenes, with everything from mental and physical wellbeing to financial support. This includes a 24/7 helpline, free counselling and financial grants.

Digger's big star is Tom Cruise, seen below arriving for tonight's premiere.
The movie was filmed in the UK at Pinewood Studios. Warner Brothers describes the plot this way: "The most powerful man in the world embarks on a frantic mission to prove he is humanity’s savior before the disaster he’s unleashed destroys everything."

Others walking the orange carpet tonight included Sophie Wilde. 
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Actress Sandra Hülle, who plays Tom Cruise's sister in the film, Emma Rockwell.
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Actor Riz Ahmed (R) and his mother, Mumtaz Ahmed.
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Actress Emma D'Arcy. 
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Director Alejandro González Iñárritu.
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Jesse Plemons, who plays the United States Vice President in the movie. 
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And John Goodman, who plays the President. 
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Among the notable names attending, but not appearing in the film, actress Hannah Waddingham.
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Actress Jodie Turner-Smith.
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 Actress Salma Hayek.
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Another look at the Princess as the royals arrived. 

More about tonight's events via this piece in The Telegraph.

Speaking about the Prince and Princess before their arrival, Cruise said: “I just love them. They are lovely people and I have great respect for them.”

He escorted the Princess up and down the stairs at the entrance of the Odeon Luxe, Leicester Square, first holding her arm and then her hand. It marks a reunion for the trio, who attended the Top Gun: Maverick premiere together in 2022.

The Royal Film Performance World premiere is in support of the Film and TV Charity.

The actor greeting the royals.

As The Daily Mail pointed out, "It was something of a reunion for the couple and Cruise, 64, who met at the UK premiere of his hit film Top Gun: Maverick in May 2022." 

Here is a video shared by Rebecca English of The Daily Mail. In the video, the couple is escorted by Marcus Ryder, chief executive of the Film and TV Charity, and the organization's chair, Claire Tavenier.

Tom Cruise being quite the gentleman as he escorts the Princess of Wales into the cinema for the royal premiere. pic.twitter.com/vxQS5SsQrE

— Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) September 22, 2026

Another view of the Prince and Princess. 

Mr. Cruise leads the Princess into the theater.

This angle gives you a good look at the back of the gown.

The couple posed with the film's director, Alejandro González Iñárritu, and Mr. Cruise.

The foursome looked like they enjoyed chatting.

The Princess smiles at her husband.

The Prince and Princess spoke with the film's stars and producers.

The Princess with Mr. Cruise and Ms. Wilde.

A quick video of the Princess speaking with the cast and producers.

The second move to make sure the necklace is in the correct position ☺️

🎥 The RFC pic.twitter.com/xTbdeJl9Jo

— ChristinZ (@ChristinsQueens) September 22, 2026

A wider shot gives you a better view of the group greeting the royals.

Once inside, the Princess was given lovely flowers. 

We learn more from this Daily Mirror article. 

The Princess was also presented with a posy and a programme by Evie Peters, seven, while four-year-old Sahrae-Lea Herbert, four, gave the Prince as programme. Both girls, who had been waiting excitedly for them, executed beautiful curtseys. The Princess of Wales said: "Thank you for my lovely flowers."

The Daily Mail's Rebecca English shared some darling videos of the girls waiting for the royals and practicing their curtsies. 

When you know a princess is round the corner and you just can’t wait to show her the curtsy you’ve been practising….. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/n8Zr9klIlT

— Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) September 22, 2026

The royals posed for a photo with Sir David Beckham and two of his sons, Cruz, and Romeo. We learn more about the evening's fundraising element from the Daily Mirror story. 

Inside the cinema, the Royals were introduced to a line-up of beneficiaries from the Film and Television Charity including Chloe Malone, 27, who only last year was sleeping rough and is still in temporary accommodation but is about to embark on a production course at the National Film and Television School thanks to the charity.

She praised it for "saving" her, and William for his work to eradicate homelessness.

Another look at the Princess. 

Now for our review covering what Kate wore for tonight's premiere.

The dress appears to be a custom version of a design from the Jenny Packham A/W 2016 collection. The original design was crafted in grape silk chiffon, with a deep V-neck, cold-shoulder balloon sleeves, a cutout on the upper back, oodles of pleats, a concealed back zipper, and a full, flowing skirt with a short train. Among the changes to the Princess's gowns: the sleeves appear essentially closed with a cape-effect shoulder, and the back cutout is not as deep as in the original gown.  

The style reminded several of us chatting online of the diaphanous blue design worn for the SPECTRE premiere in 2015. 

The Princess wore her hair partially pulled back. 

Making it easier to see the Collingwood diamond and pearl earrings that belonged to Diana, Princess of Wales, and her heirloom necklace.

The Court Jeweler calls it the Queen Mother's Amethyst Sautoir Necklace. It was commissioned by Queen Alexandra and gifted to Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon in 1923, according to the "History and Lives of the British Royals" Facebook page.  That page describes it as "three rows of petite pearls interspersed with large oval amethysts surrounded by brilliant-cut diamonds, terminating in a large heart-shaped amethyst and diamond pendant."

Below, the necklace is shown in a 1923 display of wedding gifts for the Duke of York and Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon in September 1923, later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother. The Queen Mother then gave the necklace to Princess Elizabeth, the late Queen Elizabeth II.

The current Queen wore a shortened version of the necklace in 2012 for the premiere of Skyfall at Royal Albert Hall

The Princess accessorized with two pieces first noted in December 2018, when she paired them with a tweed Erdem dress. Both are by Jimmy Choo. The bag was a made-to-order design, and the heels were either the Bordeaux velvet Romy Pointy Toe Pumps or the Anouk Pointy Toe Pumps. We never decided exactly which pair it was, and tonight I made no progress on that quest because the gown covered the heels.

I will leave you with one more photo of the Princess from tonight's premiere. 

The Isle of Bute is about 90 minutes west of Glasgow, including the ferry ride.

The couple's first stop was at the Bute Shinty Club in Rothesay. This is their first visit to their namesake town.

Shinty is one of Scotland's oldest traditional sports, played here for generations. The couple met senior and youth team representatives and spent time with volunteers and former players in the clubhouse. Local community members built the clubhouse, which holds team photographs dating back to 1907.

More about the sport from this BBC piece. 

Twelve players per side use a curved wooden stick called a caman to play a leather ball. Some players choose to wear full face protective helmets throughout the two 45-minute halves.

It begins with the throw up, where the referee throws the ball in the air between two players, leaving them to wrestle for it.

It's fast, it's physical, it's traditional.

Today's engagements were designed to highlight the power of community, connection and volunteering.

The couple then went back outside to watch training exercises and meet young players taking part in the sport.

Below, the couple watch some of the younger players. 

We learn details from this Daily Mirror story. 

Kate and William watched an under-17s shinty game ... before marching onto the pitch to take part in a penalty shootout. William stepped up first, fluffed his first shot and the ball bobbled away - but he connected with the second attempt.

Kate was cheered onto the pitch by the crowd and raised her fist in the air in mock acknowledgement of their support. William l called out ‘long run up’ as Kate stepped up to take her first attempt. The princess joined in the laughter as she missed the ball entirely performing an air shot. After William suggested she take just one step up to the ball, Kate struck her second attempt cleanly.

Rebecca English of The Daily Mail shared videos of the Prince and Princess taking their shots. 

The Duke and Duchess of Rothesay enjoy trying their hand at Shinty on the Isle of Bute today. A couple of false starts, but then they smashed it! pic.twitter.com/PzjlyCUYJ0

— Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) September 17, 2026

Another view of the Princess. The royals posed for selfies. 

Here you see the Princess greeting 95-year-old Jenny Salli, a Rothesay resident. 

And the royals posing with Ms. Salli.

The couple with club officials. 

And a group photo with younger players at the Club.

The Princess with a wave goodbye as this engagement wrapped up. 

The couple then traveled to Ettrick Bay, a few miles away, where they met members of Beachwater Bute. 

The charitable organization was formed in 1998; members monitor and remove marine litter from Bute's shores.

We learn more from Hello's story. 

They walked along the sand with Beach Ranger Sandra Macmillan and supporters of the charity, which has coordinated clean-up activities on Bute since 1998, to keep the coastline safe and accessible for wildlife and local people. 

Armed with litter pickers and recycled farm feed bags to hold the rubbish, they stopped to pick up bits of packaging and rope and used their bare hands to pick up finer plastic filaments from fishing gear as they heard more about the charity’s work.

Beachwatch Bute’s secretary Sue Brooks said she had offered the Princess some gloves, which she turned down. “She said ‘actually, I do this all the time’.” Catherine was “a bit hesitant” to use the litter picker, but instead, “she was in there just picking everything up and saying ‘I'll get that one’. Yeah, it was great. “It felt like you were just chatting to your pal walking along, so it was lovely.”

The couple even took a tractor ride on the beach. 

The Daily Mail's Rebecca English shared several videos from the beach engagement. 

A very happy Duke and Duchess of Rothesay on the Isle of Bute today 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 pic.twitter.com/DG3BGcb43i

— Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) September 17, 2026

The royals posed with volunteers for a group photo. 

It looks like the Princess made some four-legged friends. 

Another view. 

The Prince and Princess of Wales visited the Anchor Tavern Pub & Hub in Port Bannatyne.

The pub is community-owned, and a Scotsman article from this May notes it "was bought by the community in 2022, saving it from ruin. It is the village’s only pub, and the people who rescued it now sit there together and drink together too."

It is also dog-friendly, noting, "We happily accept well-behaved dogs and provide water and treats and even a dog visitor book!" The BBC reports, "Settling in for coffee and cake - as well as a half-pint of beer for William - the royals could be seen chatting with pubgoers..."

There is a community hub next door where meetings can be hosted, and there are pop-up food events, along with exhibits, workshops and other community activities. Below is a group photo at the Tavern.

The couple as they left the pub. 

After leaving the pub, the royals did a walkabout. 

The King's Guard Tours posted a video of the Princess chatting with people about what she'd like to do the next time she visits. 

The Princess of Wales shared with members of the public on the Isle of Bute that next time she visits, she would like to swim, sauna, and listen to live music! 🎶

🎥 @kingsguardtours
📍Isle of Bute, Scotland
📆 17 September, 2026#PrincessOfWales #PrincessCatherine pic.twitter.com/2hsHJypcdT

— Kings Guard Tours (@KingsGuardTours) September 17, 2026

The Princess with schoolchildren. And posing for a photo. 
 The Princess with another youngster. 

And now, a look at what Kate wore on the Isle of Bute today. As she often does, the Princess showcased British brands. This is perhaps even more appropriate this Thursday in September, as London Fashion Week got underway today. 

We begin with her Burberry trench coat, with thanks to Kate Middleton Styled on Instagram for the ID. You could see the brand's iconic Nova check lining in the photo above at the Shinty Club, a pattern created back in the 1920s. This is a longer-length design, the Burberry Kensington style. The trench is done in a classic double-breasted style with shoulder epaulets, buckled cuffs, a gun flap on the back, and pockets. This model below looks like it has the brand's lining on the underside of the collar, and I'm not sure the Princess's version includes that detail. Additionally, the Princess's coat looked brown to me in many photos, not black, so I will keep looking for a photo of the exact style worn today.

The Princess's sweater is not yet identified; I will update the post if/when it is. UPDATE SEP 22: With thanks to Middleton Maven for a fab find, it looks like the Princess was wearing a past-season Really Wild sweater.  The Princess is believed to have worn this sweater in black for a 2021 engagement. That version was 100% cashmere, and ribbed throughout the piece.

The Princess brought back her Holland Cooper Jodhpur Jeans ( a 92% cotton material blended with stretch fabrics in a high-rise style with a skinny fit.

She accessorized with Maison Hotel's 'Guadalupe' Belt ($189) in the Mariachi Coffee color. Made of leather, the Spanish brand's belt is described as featuring "intricate floral embroidery in tones of cream and brown, echoing the artistry of traditional Mexican textiles. The antique-style silver-tone buckle and tip bring a Western edge, while the etched detailing adds depth and refinement." A fab find by Lauren and Gabi. 

We saw the return of the Princess's House of Bruar Tweed 8-Piece Hat ($125) in green herringbone wool. 

The Princess wore a new pair of brown suede Chelsea-style ankle boots today that I am still trying to identify.

She also brought back her Lauren Pavé Diamond Leaf Drop Earrings (£3200, roughly $4300 at today's exchange rates) by go-to jeweler Kiki McDonough. 

I will leave you with one more photo from today.