HIS Royal Highness The Prince of Wales paid a surprise visit to a school in Rowley Regis today (April 25) after being invited by a twelve-year-old student.

Prince William is visiting St Michael's Church of England High School to learn about its award-winning student-led initiatives supporting children's mental health.

He was previously invited to visit the Sandwell school in a letter posted on X, formally known as Twitter, by student Freddie Hadley in October last year.

On World Mental Health Day, Prince William responded with a message commending Freddie and St. Michael’s School on their work to tackle mental health challenges faced by school children.

The Black Country school previously achieved a gold standard award from the Carnegie Centre of Excellent for Mental Health in Schools in May 2022.

A decade before the school launched the ‘Student Voice’ group, consisting of up to 100 students who meet at lunchtimes, after school, in the evenings and during school periods to start mental health initiatives.

These range from fundraising to mental health, including working with elderly members of the community.

The school’s team of student Wellbeing Ambassadors also help to support students.

The Prince will meet representatives of Student Voice and learn about their work to promote positive mental health and well-being.

His Royal Highness will also join a session with the Matrix Project which was set up to shine a spotlight on male mental health.

It sees boys aged between 11 and 14 meet weekly to develop projects to tackle mental health challenges.

The group launched the #AmIManlyEnough campaign last year to tackle the stigma around male mental health and encourage men and boys to communicate more about their feelings.

The Prince will conclude his visit by joining a workshop with a larger group of students who are discussing a range of issues, including designing their own calm kits and their dream wellbeing hub.