A former prisoner was surprised by Kate Middleton’s lack of judgement after meeting her behind bars.
Francesca Fattore, 44, met the Princess of Wales after completing her rehabilitation programme in HMP Send, Surrey. She attributes the turning point in her life to the support given to her by Kate.
Recalling her encounter with royalty, Francesca remarked: “Do you know what? The one thing that surprised me about Kate was how she didn’t judge – she just didn’t care that I was a prisoner.”
She was also stunned by Kate’s perspective, saying: “The way she was with me, it was just like I was a normal person. You have so many people out there judging prisoners and ex-prisoners yet she supports rehabilitation there and I was just shocked that someone like her sat next to me and saw me as equal.”
Francesca now shares insights into prison life on social media
(Image: (Image: Francesca Fattore))
Raised in Reading within a caring family, Francesca’s life took a turn during her teenage years due to drug addiction, leading to heroin and crack use, and eventually starting to sell drugs to fuel her own dependency. Her criminal activities related to drugs landed her in prison, where she found herself alongside some of Britain’s most notorious female offenders at HMP Bronzefield.
However, it was her time at HMP Send and the memorable visit from Kate that left an indelible mark on her. Francesca shared more about the profound moment: “I think the main thing that will stay with me… I said to her I was really nervous and I was shaking, literally.
“But she just sat down next to me and I said ‘I am so nervous’ and she said ‘don’t be silly it is fine’. She just made me feel so relaxed then as well.
“I said to her that prison was the best thing that happened to me and she said ‘why do all prisoners say that to me’. She was really shocked that going to prison was the best thing that happened to me.”
Princess Kate met prisoners during a visit to HMP Send in Surrey
(Image: (Image: Getty))
Francesca, who has transitioned from her past challenges to become a content creator, manages UkExFemalePrisoner – a platform dedicated to supporting ex-female offenders seeking new prospects., reports the Express.
She consistently attributes her conversation with Kate as a turning point in her life, drawing strength from the way Kate faced her cancer ordeal with immense courage and honour.
With Francesca’s own mother facing cancer, she admires the royal, asserting: “If I could give a message to her, it would be to say she is amazing.”
“I would love to tell her again that I feel so blessed to have met her and it is one of the biggest things that has ever happened to me.
“She is an inspiration to so many women – she is amazing, genuine and I think she is an absolutely amazing woman.”