The Duke and Duchess of Sussex at WE Day UK

The Duke of Sussex spoke to young people about the challenges of climate change and mental health during  WE Day UK, a global initiative to encourage young people to take part in positive social change. 

Over 12,000 students and teachers who have made a difference in their local and global communities attended WE Day UK at the SSE Arena in Wembley for a full day of educational speeches, inspirational moments and show-stopping performances. 

His Royal Highness spoke in his capacity as President of The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, an organisation launched last year to champion, fund and connect young leaders of social purpose ventures around the world. The Trust gives them a platform that takes their work seriously, funds their work, and shares and amplifies their ideas. The Duke of Sussex is a keen advocate for young people to be seen as leaders and equal partners in making the world a better place.

Other speakers and performers on the day include model, actress and activist, Naomi Campbell and singer-songwriter, Liam Payne. 

Students attending WE Day could not buy a ticket to the event; they had to earn it through making a commitment to undertake at least one local and one global charitable act of their choice as part of the year-long school citizenship programme. In the 2017/2018 school year, over 4,000 UK schools and groups volunteered over 860,000 hours and collected over 115,000 kilos of food for local foodbanks through WE Schools. Together, finding their passion for taking action on causes including homelessness, food security, the environment, education and access to clean water.

The Duke has previously spoken on the WE Day stage at WE Day Toronto, September 2017 and at WE Day UK, March 2014.