Prince William visits school after boy's invite

Freddie invited Prince William to visit his school in October

The Prince of Wales has visited a school to learn how pupils are being supported with their mental wellbeing.

Prince William was invited to St Michael’s Church of England High School in Rowley Regis, West Midlands, by a 12-year-old pupil last October.

Freddie had asked the prince to come and find out about the school's Matrix Project which was set up to shine a spotlight on male mental health.

At the time, the prince responded on X with a message commending the school on its work but apologising for being unable to make it.

"Good afternoon Freddie, I’m so sorry Catherine and I can’t be with you and the rest of the students at St Michael’s today," the prince responded.

"Tackling mental health challenges and stigmas head on is so important, please keep up this important work."

The Prince and Princess of Wales were unable to visit the school when they were in Birmingham six months ago

On that day, he had visited Birmingham with his wife Catherine, Princess of Wales, who called for more mental health support for the nation.

The princess gave a speech to young people gathered at the city's Factory Works for a day of workshops to mark World Mental Health Day.

Prince William was invited to St. Michael’s Church of England High School in Rowley Regis

Six months on, the prince met representatives of the school's student voice committee to learn about its various initiatives.

The school launched the body, consisting of up to 100 students who meet at lunchtimes and after school, in 2012.

The pupils develop initiatives ranging from fundraising to mental health and working with elderly members of the community.

Prince William met pupils at the school

Freddie told the prince he had written to him for his help getting the message out that it was OK for people to express their emotions.

The royal then greeted school staff before sitting down and sharing "dad jokes" with pupils for a mental health podcast.

"I've been asked to produce a dad joke, so I'm kind of trying to channel Jack Whitehall, most of his jokes are pretty dad-like," the prince said.

He then drew laughs by telling daughter Princess Charlotte's favourite gag, a knock knock joke involving an interrupting cow.

Prince William met service users and staff at homelessness charity Betel UK

The prince later visited Woodgate Valley Urban Farm - a farm that uses animals for therapy to support young people with mental health difficulties.

He spoke to staff and volunteers before being taken on a tour of the farm, during which he met a number of its animals, including Snowflake the guinea pig, who he was seen stroking while speaking to a service user.

The next stop on his visit to Birmingham was homelessness charity Betel UK, where he opened a new employment skills and community outreach centre.

As part of the event, he heard from people who had been supported by the charity and was given a tour of the new facility, including the Rising Cafe.