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As a senior member of the Royal Family, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge often lends much of her time, support and effort to a number of institutions. Just like other members of the Royal Family, the Duchess has become a patron to several of these organisations. Several of the Royals’ patronages are charities. Others, however, consist of public service groups, professional bodies, and even some military associations. Whatever the organisation, patronages are said to “reflect the interests” of the working royal.

The Duchess of Cambridge is no different – and is extremely passionate about all of her patronages.

She works closely with each and every one of her patronages, so would have been devastated to learn of the closure of one.

Action on Addiction’s The Brink Cafe has been forced to close down due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Duchess of Cambridge said: “Action on Addiction was one of my very first patronages, and as such very close to my heart.

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“I’m hugely passionate about the support it provides, especially for parents, children and families who suffer from, or through addiction, and in some ways, it was the catalyst for my interest in early childhood development too.”

The charity works closely with people and families who have been affected by drug, alcohol and general substance addiction.

Announcing the closure on their website, Action on Addiction said it was “very sorry” to announce the news and that it was a “very sad moment” for them.

The organisation added: “Due to the financial impact of COVID-19, The Brink Cafe, Liverpool, will not reopen but our full range of therapeutic addictions services for individuals and families in Liverpool will continue.

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“These services, which are funded by Liverpool City Council and other trusts and foundations, are unaffected by the decision to close The Brink Cafe, and we thank them for their continued support.”

The Duchess first visited The Brink in 2012, where she dished out non-alcoholic beverages, one of which was a smoothie named after her.

Action on Addiction writes: “As patron of the charity, the Duchess has played a pivotal role in promoting the practical solutions we have developed to enable ever more people to live their lives free from addiction, and also in challenging the stigma that surrounds it.

“The Duchess’s experience with Action on Addiction has helped lay the groundwork for her work and understanding on mental health, and is currently helping inform her work in developing a major project around support for children in their earliest years.

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“Over the course of the last seven years, Her Royal Highness has visited all our services and has met many of the people we have worked with, as well as some former clients who have moved their lives on in recovery following completion of one of our treatment programmes.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Duchess for her invaluable support in helping to maximise the reach and impact of Action on Addiction so that we can help more of the people and families who are suffering from addiction, eradicate the stigma associated with ti and, ultimately, save more lives.”

In December 2019, she paid the dry bar another visit in which she was accompanied by TV baker Mary Berry.

The affair was filmed for Mary’s Christmas special, which was named A Berry Royal Christmas, and aired on December 16, 2019.

The visit saw Mary prepare non-alcoholic cocktails while the Duchess served them to guests.

Mary took the opportunity to quiz her guest on her waitressing experience, as the Duchess said the experience reminded “me of my university days when I did a bit of waitressing:”.

“Were you any good?”, asked Mary. The Duchess replied: “No, I was terrible!”

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