Professor Green discussed the issues of mental health and masculinity with Prince William at an event staged by the charity Heads Together on Tuesday (17.01.17).

Professor Green

Professor Green

The 33-year-old rap star - whose real name is Stephen Manderson - is a long-time sufferer of anxiety and has lifted the lid on the candid conversation he had with the British royal.

He said: "I've always had anxiety. Before I knew it was anxiety I used to tell my nan that I had a bellyache.

"Later in life my dad took his own life and so did his brother.

"I know a lot of people who have suffered a hell of a lot due to mental health issues so it's something that means a hell of a lot to me.

"We see being sad or being scared as a vulnerability but there's a real strength to be taken from being honest about how you feel."

The rapper said it is important that people feel able to speak openly about their mental health struggles.

He told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "People think that being hard is being strong and it's quite often the opposite.

"The image of masculinity is one of being hard but being hard and being strong are two completely different things.

"That's what I want to get across to people.

"The conversation that I had with William we were saying the same things to each other about how there is that common misconception between being hard and being strong and they are two completely different things."

Meanwhile, Prince William's younger brother, Prince Harry - who also attended the event - said he is encouraged to see attitudes changing towards mental health.

Prince Harry said: "In the past, the phrase 'mental health' would be translated to mental illness. But thankfully that is changing!

"As a result of family, school or work pressures, everyone's lives are lived at a frightening pace and these stresses can often seem overwhelming.

"Some will ignore the signs of stress, others will insist they're OK after losing a loved one.

"Some will be afraid to ask for help, others won't have anyone to turn to.

"The truth is we can all help each other. You don't need any qualifications to help your mate out, simply to listen to what they have to say. At the heart of this campaign is our hope that no-one should be afraid to ask for help, and no-one should worry about knowing how to help."

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