It's said that a mother's love for their child is immeasurable and incomparable.
So, it's understandable how mother Ceri Knapton from Preston, Lancashire broke down into tears earlier this week when her 13-year-old son Ethan recounted his medical conditions to Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, at an event for children's mental health charity, Place2Be.
Ethan told the Duchess that he was badly bullied at primary school because of his symptoms, which had resulted in his diagnosis three years ago.
'It was a very difficult time but my diagnosis helped me to cope with what I was experiencing.
'I decided that I wanted to speak out about it. There is no point in sitting back. I'd rather stand up and make a difference,' he told the Duchess.
Hearing his son open up about his feelings made his mother start crying, to which Kate – mother to Prince George and Princess Charlotte – felt compelled to reach over and give Ceri a hug.
In an interview with the MailOnline, Ceri said: 'The Duchess just leant over and said to me 'I've got to give you a hug as a mum'. I couldn't believe it, it was such a kind gesture.'
Knapton then explained to the Duchess that her son's medical conditions aren't labels but 'an explanation of what makes Ethan the boy he is. The fact that he wants to use that to benefit others less able to speak out is just amazing.'
We couldn't agree more.
Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.
