Kate Middleton has warned that addiction rates are spiraling post-lockdown and it ‘could happen to any one of us.’

Giving the keynote speech at the launch of the Taking Action on Addiction campaign at the Bafta headquarters in London, the duchess said the pandemic has had a ‘devastating impact’ on the problem.

Kate, who was dressed in a pleated red skirt and matching turtleneck, highlighted the importance of tackling misinformation and misunderstanding surrounding addiction.

It’s after she urged world leaders to ‘act now’ at the first ever Earthshot award ceremony in London on Sunday.

Speaking at the event, which was compered by TV duo Ant and Dec, Kate said: ‘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.

‘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.

‘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.’

Kate, who is patron of the Forward Trust charity, spent time meeting beneficiaries of the organisation, as well as supporters with experience of addiction to hear their stories.

She also spoke with TV star Ant McPartlin about his own well-publicised problems with addiction.

The duchess warned families and children are ‘having to cope with addiction in greater numbers than ever before.’

She added: ‘We know that over one and a half million people across the UK who did not have substance misuse prior to lockdown may now be experiencing problems associated with increased alcohol consumption.

‘Around two million individuals who were identified as being in recovery may have experienced a relapse over the past 18 months.

‘Almost one million young people and children are showing an increase in addictive behaviour since the pandemic began.’

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