Princess Beatrice Supports Mental Health Festival in Memory of 'Love Island' Host Caroline Flack

Flackstock, now in its third year, has so far raised more than $650,000 for mental health charities

Princess Beatrice of York and Princess Eugenie of York attend The Anti Slavery Collective's inaugural Winter Gala ; Caroline Flack celebrates the 90th Anniversary of JW Marriott Grosvenor House London
Princess Beatrice; Caroline Flack. Photo:

Dave Benett/Getty; David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty

Princess Beatrice is supporting a great cause.

On July 22, the royal attended Flackstock, a music festival held on the grounds of Englefield Estate in Berkshire, England, to raise awareness of mental health. The festival, now in its third year, has raised over $650,000 for mental health in memory of Caroline Flack, the British presenter who died by suicide in 2020.

Wearing a navy floral dress with puffed sleeves, a denim jacket over her arm and accessorizing with a bright faux floral headpiece, Princess Beatrice had VIP access to the event, where she posed for photos with pal Natalie Pinkham and Richard Benyon, the owner of Englefield Estate.

Natalie Pinkham and Princess Beatrice at Flackstock 2024
Princess Beatrice and Natalie Pinkham at Flackstock on July 22, 2024.

Natalie Pinkham/Instagram

Flack, who hosted Love Island and The X Factor in the U.K., died at age 40, two months after she was charged with assaulting her boyfriend Lewis Burton in December 2019. A coroner later ruled, according to Sky News, "Although (Flack's) general fluctuating (mental) state was a background and important in her death, I find the reason for her taking her life was she now knew she was being prosecuted for certainty, and she knew she would face the media, press, publicity — it would all come down upon her. To me, that's it in essence."

Caroline’s mom, Christine Flack, gave an emotional speech about her "wonderful daughter" at the event, saying that "her laugh was infectious" and thanking everyone for making the festival a special celebration of her life.

During her life, Flack briefly dated Prince Harry, something the Duke of Sussex mentioned in his 2023 autobiography, Spare.

"She had been so light and funny that night we met. The definition of carefree," he said.

The couple were reportedly introduced by Pinkham, one of Flack’s close friends and co-founder of Flackstock.

Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

Raising money for some of Flack’s favorite charities — including Choose Love, Samaritans, Charlie Waller Trust and Mind — the summer event was hosted on the grounds of Englefield House, where Pippa Middleton wed James Matthews in 2017. The event included mental health talks, fitness and comedy acts as well as a musical line-up which included her friend and former X-Factor co-host, Olly Murs.

Closing his one-hour set with "Sweet Caroline," a song he vowed to sing at every one of his concerts in memory of his close friend, Murs held back tears as he spoke lovingly about his late friend. Other musicians who performed on the night included Tom Walker, Shaznay Lewis and Chesney Hawkes.

Princess Beatrice, patron of the British Skin Foundation, reacts as a child informs his class of dangers of not wearing sun cream, as she meets Year 5 pupils who have created sun safety posters to highlight the importance of protecting your skin from potential skin cancers in later life, during a visit to St Mary's and St John's primary school in north west London
Princess Beatrice visits St. Mary's and St. John's primary school in London on July 23, 2024.

James Manning/PA Images via Getty 

On July 23, Princess Beatrice stepped out to another charity event, visiting a school in north London to highlight the importance of sun safety, as patron of the British Skin Foundation. Wearing a white floral dress, the royal mom smiled broadly on stage as she joined an assembly of 9 and 10-year-olds at St. Mary’s and St. John's School.

Related Articles