Prince William says grief is "the very worst pain any child or parent will ever endure," during a private dinner marking 30 years of Child Bereavement UK.
The Prince of Wales, who lost his mother Princess Diana in 1997 at age 15, praised the charity's efforts to support those facing loss.
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"While we cannot prevent these losses, we can ensure that every possible type of expert support and care is given, to help rebuild the lives of those affected," he said, according to The Telegraph.
William, 42, has served as patron of the organisation since 2009. He also backed its decision to merge with Winston's Wish, another UK bereavement charity, to meet rising demand. "In my 16 years as patron of Child Bereavement UK, I have seen the life-changing impact of their work and how the support, care and compassion provided protects the long-term health and wellbeing of those living with loss."
He added: "They have recognised that together they can do so much more, and I commend them both for taking this bold step to reach more people and help to reduce the long-term challenges that unresolved grief can cause."
The newly merged organisation will continue under the name Child Bereavement UK, and Prince William will stay on as patron.
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Chairman Alexander Fitzgibbons added, "With more, we can do more. Together, we can reach further, giving a stronger voice to bereaved children, young people, parents and families across the UK."
In February, William met teenagers supported by the charity and spoke about his own grief. Talking to 17-year-old Rebecca, he said, "Sometimes the hardest thing about grief is finding the words for how you actually feel."
When 15-year-old Meika shared she had stopped attending school after her grandmother's death, William responded, "The mind gets focused on one thing, doesn't it? It's very difficult to be able to do school and normal life."
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