Thread - Princess Beatrice & her work with dyslexia and education

"I was diagnosed with dyslexia when I was 7 and it was a bit of a struggle to begin with. It was a challenge as I began my school career – spelling and reading was something I couldn’t really get my head around."

At this point she was supported by the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Centre, which offers dyslexia support and advice to anyone who needs it, as well as providing training to teachers and TAs. She became their Royal Patron in 2013.

Despite her difficulties with reading, things changed when she discovered the Harry Potter books: "The second the story came out, I couldn’t put it down. Now I read so much quicker, so much better and I studied history at university which involved a lot of reading."

Despite her dyslexia, Beatrice achieved ABB at A-level, & then a 2:1 degree in History and History of Ideas at Goldsmiths, London.
She said: "I would not have been able to achieve my academic results without the support I received from the Helen Arkell Centre.”

As Patron, Beatrice often visits the centre in Frensham, Surrey. At this visit in 2015, she met children from local schools to find out about the 1:1 tuition they were receiving.

"I was so excited to meet a Princess. She was really nice and told me that my dyslexia means I think differently in a way that can be very useful”.
- Pearl, aged 9

Beatrice has visited schools to talk about her experience. At Bolingbroke Academy, she told students: "Dyslexia ... is an opportunity and a possibility to learn differently. You have magical brains, they just process differently. Don’t feel like you should be held back by it".

One of many people inspired by Beatrice was pop legend Tina Turner! She said: "I finally got over my lifelong sense of inadequacy when Princess Beatrice discussed her dyslexia....

...She said that she wasn't able to count and that she had a hard time learning how to read. She could have been describing me. For the first time, I truly understood what my problem was, and felt better about myself.”

Princess Beatrice also supports other programmes related to education, beyond the focus on dyslexia. With best friend Holly Branson, she co-founded educational charity Big Change

https://www.big-change.org 

She also supports the Northwood African Education Foundation, & its school, St George's, in Ethiopia. Beatrice said: "I hope this effort grows and grows and helps to change more lives and communities".
Last Dec, she & Edo attended a carol service to raise money for Northwood.

In May 2020, Beatrice recorded a video for #MadeByDyslexia, talking about her experiences.

"Dyslexia is a badge of honour."

"Being diagnosed with dyslexia is the greatest thing that ever happened to me."

"Together we can make a huge difference in the world."

- HRH Princess Beatrice