Green-fingered Kate! Princess of Wales helps pot plants at drug and alcohol support charity celebrating the benefits of the outdoors in Southend-on-Sea for Addiction Awareness Week

The Princess of Wales has enjoyed a morning outdoors as she visited a drug and alcohol support charity in Essex for Addiction Awareness Week today.Kate, 44, who is known for her love of gardening, helped pot plants when joining The Forward Trust in Southend-on-Sea to learn more about its latest nature-based community initiative, Forward Growing.The green-fingered royal arrived at Garon Park wearing a smart, grey, checked Max Mara blazer that she first debuted on a visit to RAF Coningsby with Prince George earlier this year.In a sweet nod to Prince William, the double-breasted jacket features the 'Prince of Wales' check, as Kate completed the look with a brown sweater, slim-fit black trousers and loafers.The charity's wellness scheme encourages those who use the non-profit's recovery and treatment services to engage with the natural world through weekly gardening sessions.Kate, who has been a patron of the charity since 2021, has previously shared how she found comfort and strength from being in nature during her cancer treatment.She celebrated its 'healing power' in her 'Mother Nature' series of short films that were released last year and narrated by Kate, who said: 'The natural world's capacity to inspire us, to nurture us and help us heal and grow is boundless and has been understood for generations.' Princess of Wales helped pot plants at a drug and alcohol support charity in Essex today For today's visit, Kate styled her bronde tresses in loose mermaid waves and kept her makeup to a minimum. She finished her look with a gold chain necklace from Laura Lombardi and earrings. After arriving in Essex, Kate was greeted by Mike Trace, CEO of the Forward Trust Walk, and other members of staff at the charity. Kate, who launched the first Addiction Awareness Week in 2021 on behalf of the trust, penned a heartfelt message last year, urging 'compassion and love' to those dependent on drugs, alcohol or gambling. She wrote: 'Recovery is hard, but with the right treatment it is possible. And this begins with a conversation, a listening ear and showing we care.'So please join the conversation. By talking about it in the open, together we can bring addiction and the harm it causes out of the shadows.'She added: 'We can reframe this issue with kindness and understanding, and we can help individuals and families coping with addiction know they are not alone.Today's engagement comes during Addiction Awareness Week, which runs from September 19 - 25. This year, the campaign is calling on the UK to make its voice heard through 'The Big Addiction Conversation'. Every year, around 17,000 people die from alcohol or drug-related causes, and the 'Big Addiction Conversation' wants to spark compassionate and honest communication about the stigma attached to addiction. The princess of hugs! Kate shared a sweet moment with a member of the public during today's royal engagement The Princess has been patron of The Forward Trust in 2021 The future Queen swapped red carpet couture for a more casual ensemble today, with Kate opting to rewear the grey, checked Max Mara blazer she debuted during a visit to RAF Coningsby with Prince George earlier this year The Princess, who has been a patron of the charity since 2021, has previously shared how she found comfort and strength from being in nature during her cancer treatment Kate listened intently as she learnt about The Forward Trust's new nature-based initiative The double-breasted jacket features the 'Prince of Wales' check in a sweet nod to Prince William Kate's visit in support of 'The Big Addiction Conversation' to highlight recovery is possibleIt comes after the Princess dazzled on the red carpet at the world premiere of Tom Cruise's new movie in London's Leicester Square earlier on Tuesday.While it's hard to outshine Hollywood royalty, all eyes were on the future king and queen as they arrived for the Royal Film Performance of 'Digger' at the Odeon Luxe.There had been huge anticipation in advance of the princess's latest red carpet look, and Kate did not disappoint in a purple flowing gown by Jenny Packham with a daring gap at the back.Her jewels were even more eye-catching, as she wore the Queen Mother's amethyst sauron necklace paired with pearl earrings belonging to Diana, Princess of Wales, showed off to perfection with a heavy curled hairstyle pulled back at the side.The dazzling necklace had also been worn by Queen Camilla at the Royal World Premiere of 'Skyfall' at the Royal Albert Hall on October 23, 2012.Prince William looked dapper in black tie, wearing a velvet evening jacket and highly polished shoes as he waved to the crowd, which had turned out en masse to watch Hollywood stars - and royalty - walk the red carpet.It was something of a reunion for the couple and Cruise, 64, who had met before at the UK premiere of his hit film Top Gun: Maverick in May 2022.They were pictured beaming as they chatted to the Hollywood legend ahead of the screening of his new film, as well as filmmaker Alejandro G Iñárritu.Cruise and the future king have also worked together at an event to support the London Air Ambulance charity.The star is even reported to have organised a special screening of the movie for the Wales family after hearing the prince was a huge fan of the 1986 original.Speaking about the Prince and Princess before their arrival, Cruise said: 'I just love them. They are lovely people and I have great respect for them.'The star and the future king have also worked together at an event to support the London Air Ambulance charity.He has said of William: 'We have a lot in common. We both love England and we're both aviators. We both love flying.'Cruise was the perfect gentleman, taking Princess Kate's hand as he helped her down the stairs in her gown as she clutched a black purse, while William waved to the crowd.