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Kate Middleton: 'Motherhood can be challenging, even for me'

“Your fundamental identity changes overnight. You go from thinking of yourself as primarily an individual, to suddenly being a mother, first and foremost.” <em>(Photo: Getty)</em>
“Your fundamental identity changes overnight. You go from thinking of yourself as primarily an individual, to suddenly being a mother, first and foremost.” (Photo: Getty)

In her most personal speech to date, the Duchess of Cambridge spoke candidly at a maternal health charity event held in London, U.K., about the expectations vs. reality of being a mom.

“Personally, becoming a mother has been such a rewarding and wonderful experience. However, at times it’s also been a huge challenge. Even for me, who has support at home that most mothers do not,” the 35-year-old royal admitted to a packed room of moms and dads at the Best Beginnings initiative on Thursday morning.

The event was held as part of the Heads Together campaign, in partnership with The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry. The Duchess helped mark the release of educational films that raise awareness and tackle mental health stigma.

Kate marked the event in a £600 ($1,000 CAD) red and white box pleated checkered skirt suit from Eponine London’s Spring/Summer 2016 ready-to-wear collection. And yes, it was recycled. She previously donned the same gingham suit last spring while attending a youth mentoring project event with the Duke of Cambridge — and she looked just as stunning as she did last March.

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Kate first donned this Eponine skirt suit while visiting the XLP project in London. She wore it again at the Best Beginnings initiative on March 23, 2017. <em>(Photos: Getty Images) </em>
Kate first donned this Eponine skirt suit while visiting the XLP project in London. She wore it again at the Best Beginnings initiative on March 23, 2017. (Photos: Getty Images)

The Duchess complemented the overall look with her signature flowing locks and nude heels. She spoke quietly, yet firmly, as she addressed the captivated room.

“Nothing can really prepare you for you the sheer overwhelming experience of what it means to become a mother,” she said. “It is full of complex emotions of joy, exhaustion, love and worry, all mixed together.”

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Kate meets a mother, Kirsty Francois, 21, and her daughter Teegan-Mia, 2, during a meeting with a parent support group at the launch of maternal mental health films in London, England. The educational films have been created by Best Beginnings, a charity partner of the Heads Together Campaign. <em>(Photo: Getty Images)</em>
Kate meets a mother, Kirsty Francois, 21, and her daughter Teegan-Mia, 2, during a meeting with a parent support group at the launch of maternal mental health films in London, England. The educational films have been created by Best Beginnings, a charity partner of the Heads Together Campaign. (Photo: Getty Images)

“Your fundamental identity changes overnight. You go from thinking of yourself as primarily an individual, to suddenly being a mother, first and foremost. And yet there is no rulebook, no right or wrong; you just have to make it up and do the very best you can to care for your family,” the mother of two admitted.

“For many mothers, myself included, this can, at times lead to a lack of confidence and feelings of ignorance. Sadly for some mothers this experience can be made so much harder due to challenges with mental health,” particularly after giving birth, she noted.

Many suffer in silence to due to “fear of shame” or of what others might think if they’re not coping.

“Some of this fear is about the pressure to be a perfect parent. Pretending we’re all coping perfectly and loving every moment of it,” she stated. “It is right to talk about motherhood as a wonderful thing, but we also need to talk about its stresses and strains.”

“It’s okay not to find it easy. And asking for help should not be help as a sign of weakness.”

The Duchess also expressed her condolences to those affected by the terror attack in London on Wednesday.

“I know you would all want to join me in sending our thoughts and prayers to all those sadly affected by yesterday’s terrible attack in Westminster. We will be thinking of all the families, as we discuss the important issues we’re here to talk about.”

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