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Sophie McGown told GB News that Catherine's support 'means more to us than she could ever truly know'

The Princess of Wales has delighted a British jeweller after stepping out wearing a pair of earrings from her brand.

Sophie McGown, founder of Issy Star Jewellery, told GB News exclusively that she has a special message for Catherine after the future Queen was spotted wearing the earrings on Thursday.

The Princess of Wales wore £39 gold hoop earrings from the Issy Star Brave Mind jewellery collection in Liverpool, which coincided with World Suicide Prevention Day.

The star-shaped earrings were created in memory of Issy Phipps, a gifted rugby player who took her own life in April 2023 at age 17. A share of the revenue from each pair sold is directed to Brave Mind, a mental health charity focused on suicide prevention, working within rugby communities and schools.

Issy's mother gave Catherine the hoops in 2023, which she chose to wear on World Suicide Prevention Day this year. In the wake of Ms Phipps' death, her cousin, Ms McGown, established the Issy Star jewellery brand, designing the distinctive star-shaped hoops as a tribute to her memory.

Regarding Catherine wearing the earrings, Ms McGown hopes this will show the public that "their mental health matters and, most importantly, that they matter."

She told the People's Channel: "When somebody with Catherine’s platform chooses to wear something connected to suicide prevention, it brings the conversation into the open and helps to remove some of the shame and silence that can surround it.

"Young people need to know that struggling does not make them weak and that asking for help is an act of strength. The Princess wearing Issy’s Star sends a powerful message that this is something we should all be talking about and that nobody should ever feel they have to face those feelings alone."

When asked if she has a message for the future Queen, Ms McGown said: "I would simply say thank you, from the very bottom of my heart.

"Her heart is clearly so big, because she has not only done this for Issy and our family. She has done it for every person who has lost somebody to suicide and for everyone who may currently be struggling with their mental health.

"The thought that she woke up, chose Issy’s earrings and carried our beautiful girl’s story with her is something I will never forget.

"Her support has helped Issy’s light travel around the world and has given a platform to a conversation that could save lives. There are no words big enough to explain what that means to us, but I hope she knows how deeply grateful we are.

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"I live in Pitlochry in Scotland, so my dream would be for Catherine to stop for a cup of tea one day while she is travelling to Balmoral. I would love the opportunity to look her in the eye, thank her properly and, if she would let me, give her the biggest hug.

"What she has done means more to us than she could ever truly know, and being able to thank her in person would be an incredibly special moment."

The attention around Issy Star earrings ultimately helped Brave Mind become an innovation partner of the Royal Foundation’s National Suicide Prevention Network.

Ms McGown explained how significant this is, telling GB News: "Brave Mind does vital work with young people in sport, and the Royal Foundation’s National Suicide Prevention Network has the potential to bring organisations together, share knowledge and create meaningful change.

"Knowing that the attention around Issy’s star has helped Brave Mind reach that level makes me incredibly proud. It shows that Issy’s legacy is not only raising awareness - it is contributing to real action.

"We are working towards making the Issy Star a universally recognised symbol for mental health and suicide prevention, in the same way that other symbols have become immediately associated with important causes. I genuinely feel we are already halfway there.

"My hope is that one day we will have a dedicated Minister for Mental Health who will wear the star and help represent everything it stands for. The dream is that whenever somebody sees the Issy Star, they immediately understand its message: mental health must be spoken about, suicide must be prevented, and nobody should ever struggle alone."

Anyone who is in emotional distress, struggling to cope or at risk of suicide can call the Samaritans anonymously for free from a UK phone on 116 123 or go to samaritans.org.