The Cambridges Surprise Pupils at Casterton Primary Academy

How many of you have become acquainted with remote video services like Zoom and FaceTime of late? Be it for a professional conference or a much-needed conversation with a loved one, how we interact has changed monumentally. I think often how incredibly fortunate we are to have such technology at our disposal and the difference it is making for countless people during a difficult time. Today, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge availed of this as they surprised pupils and staff at Casterton Primary Academy. The call was arranged due to Kate's role as patron of Place2Be.

Teachers across the UK are dedicating their time to keeping schools open for the children of key workers and vulnerable children.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge called teachers and school staff at Casterton Primary Academy to thank them for their hard work and dedication. pic.twitter.com/2h9N66O4EP

— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) April 8, 2020

We recently discussed the roles the royals will play and how, like so many of us, altered their typical work schedules will be for the foreseeable future. I think it important we continue to see them using their platform to support a range of causes and highlight the amazing efforts underway. Many of the children at the Lancashire school are the children of key workers and are still attending classes, whereas most children are continuing their studies at home, including George and Charlotte.

It was very special to see Harris and Lloyd holding drawings of their parents and speaking of the work they are doing at the NHS and in schools. Kate told them: "I'm Catherine, and this is William next to me." William commended their parents' efforts. Kate told them: "They are doing an amazing job, the NHS workers."

During a chat with a group of young sisters, the couple admired their Easter-inspired artistic creations before William asked: "Is that a handbag?" He was quite quickly corrected with an emphatic "No, it's an Easter bag!" :)

More from Victoria Murphy:

“We just want to say a huge thank you to you guys and well done in keeping it all going. Please pass on many messages of support for all the staff and all the volunteers—they’re doing a great job,” the Duke of Cambridge said during the call.

The Duchess echoed his words, saying: “Well done honestly to you and everyone who’s in during this time. It must be such a relief for all the parents who are key workers to know that the normality is there for their children—they’ve got the structure, and they’ve got a safe place for them to be, so really really well done to all of you.”

Watching the video put a smile on my face and I know it meant a lot to the school, teachers and their families. For children in particular, this is such a strange time, with much of their routines drastically changed. The chance to chat with a prince and princess will have made their day and I hope to see more of this from the Cambridges in the weeks ahead.

The eagle-eyed Heaven identified Kate's mustard yellow Puff Sleeve Sweater as a past season ZARA style. From a very, very brief moment in the video, it appears Kate styled it with blue jeans.

Mustard sweater and tops have been all over the high street; it's a great shade for spring. Three stylish and affordable examples are French Connection Crepe Puff Sleeve Top (reduced in a range of colours heree) the Warehouse Pointelle Textured Jumper and the Eileen Fisher Organic Knit Sweater which is currently on sale at Saks Fifth Avenue.

The Duchess wore her hair in a demi-chignon and accessorised with her Catherine Zoraida Fern Leaf earrings. The ladies from Kate's Royal Closet noted there's an excellent Repli-Kate available on Etsy for $36.

I'll see you tomorrow evening with a new post.