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Stafford veteran shared mental health struggle with Kate

PA Media The Princess of Wales is standing in front of one man and two women. She is holding a large black hat on her head and wearing black gloves, a long black coat with two red poppies on her left chest and her brown hair is tied up. The man has his back to the camera and is wearing a black suit, navy beret and glasses. The woman to the right is wearing a maroon hat and a navy coat. The lady on the left has long blonde hair, a black coat and a scarf decorated with poppies. There are lots of blurred out trees behind them.PA Media

Steve Cartwright described the meeting as a “surreal but amazing” experience

A former sapper who was rescued from a mental health crisis by the Royal British Legion had an unexpected Armistice Day chat about his recovery with the Princess of Wales.

Steve Cartwright from Stafford was asked to walk through the National Memorial Arboretum with the princess on Tuesday after her first Remembrance service in Alrewas, Staffordshire.

He spoke about being close to taking his own life after leaving the forces, before taking part in life coaching and sport on a week-long course in Shropshire organised by the Legion.

“She asked how my health was, how I was getting on and if I was getting the support I needed,” he said.

“It was like talking to an old mate,” he smiled.

“She was just so nice and down to earth, it was unreal.”

PA Media The Princess of Wales is walking beside a man in a black suit and navy beret. She is dressed in a large black hat, black gloves, a long black coat with two red poppies on her left chest and her brown hair is tied up. The man is wearing a white shirt, black tie decorated with poppies, a medal and three pin badges, one of which is shaped like a poppy. Grass, a headge and a guidance rope can be seen blurred out behind them.PA Media

The pair spoke at length after the princess laid a wreath during the Armistice Day service

Mr Cartwright joined the armed forces at 16, was in the Royal Engineers and served in various places around the world.

He was medically discharged from Iraq in 2003 after an adverse reaction to anti-malarial drugs affecting his skin and key joints which limited his mobility.

Mr Cartwright was later diagnosed with complex PTSD, social anxiety and depression and said he had suffered suicidal thoughts.

However, he received an email invitation to the Royal British Legion’s Battle Back centre in Lilleshall, Shropshire, where he was introduced to archery and engaged in life coaching sessions.

“I walked away after five days with them a different person, with a different outlook in life,” he said, having since taken coaching badges in the sport and competed in the Invictus Games.

This was the first Armistice Day service Mr Cartwright had felt able to attend since leaving the forces and was unexpectedly called upon to speak to the Princess.

PA Media An elderly man in a wheelchair is speaking to the Princess of Wales. She is dressed in a large black hat, long black coat with a red poppy and her brown hair is tied up. She is kneeling to speak to the man, who has short white hair and is dressed in a navy suit, also wearing a poppy and has a blue blanket covering his legs. He is sat next to anothe man in a wheelchair wearing grey trousers, a navy suit and a blue beree. There is also a woman with blonde, short hair, a dark coat and orange scarf leaning over speaking to the princess. They are in a room with white walls and grey carpet.PA Media

The Princess spoke with World War 2 veteran, Geoff Spencer

He said Catherine was amazed and proud of his mental health journey, which he described as an unbelieveable moment.

“She’s such an amazing, lovely woman to talk to,” he said.

The pair walked from the Armed Forces Memorial to the main entrance building where she spoke with more veterans and explored the centre’s exhibitions.

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