It was a bingo afternoon with a very royal twist at Shire Hall Care House in Cardiff yesterday. This just might be my favourite video call yet, take a look and you'll see why!
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge thanked staff and volunteers at Shire Hall Care House for their dedication, tireless efforts and asked them how they are coping in these exceptional circumstances.
After hearing about the spirit of positivity, William said "I've never known Welsh people not to know how to have fun". The Prince was assured he had quite a bit of that in store as he prepared to take charge of a game of a bingo with his wife.
'William told them: "Catherine is going to pick out the first ball," as Kate held it up to the screen for the residents to see. She announced: "So, the first number is five and eight, 58." The Duke then chose the next one and held it up to the screen, calling out: "One little duck, number two," followed by Kate calling out the next two balls: "Eight and seven, 87. Six and two, tickety-boo."
Much to the amusement of William and Kate, Joan the winner of the game joked, the couple "were not as good" as they should have been. William replied "We'll try and do a bit better at bingo next time".
More from People:
'As they spoke to residents after the game, Kate told Margaret Stocks, “Hi Margaret. Lovely to meet you, how did you get on?” Stocks responded, "We won one line in the bingo,” to which Kate replied, “Oh fantastic, well done!”
People also reports:
'In another call on May 6, William spoke to members of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, one of the largest integrated health and social care trusts in the U.K., and heard how staff are supporting service users and the bereaved through these challenging times.
Those on the video call also highlighted the unique challenges that young people in care face when schools are closed and normal life has significantly changed.'
During the conversation, William told care workers "If there's hopefully some positivity that comes out of this horrendous time, it is that there’s a light shone on all of the wonderful things you all do and on the social care sector, and it allows people to acknowledge, respect and appreciate everything that you are doing."
The Duchess was in a familiar dress for the call.
I loved the styling of the dress that day with the combination of Kate's Castaner wedges, Catherine Zoraida earrings and her gorgeous red Mulberry bag. On a side note, look at little Louis :)
Once again, Kate accessorised with her Catherine Zoraida Gold Fern Hoop earrings.
Finally, to mark the Chelsea Flower show going digital this year, Kensington Palace shared a photo of Kate working on her 'Back To Nature' garden last year. The Duchess wore a pair of blue skinny jeans, Superga Cotu shoes in sherwood gum and a past season ZARA shirt (with thanks to Georgie's Mum).
I know we're all looking forward to better times ahead, and for this royal watcher, I'm hoping for a return of the full summer calendar next year. The Chelsea Flower Show, Order of the Garter, Trooping, Wimbledon, Ascot and polo to name just a few.
Love this event! What fun. ☺️
ReplyDeleteThis was really great. Life in "Care Homes" can be hard and tedious for workers and those living there, this is really a great way to support those living and working in this homes. It may seem a small thing but it really is a fun break to the routine for those there. Good for William and Catherine for doing these type of events, which really are all about others. Love that dress, glad to se again.
ReplyDeleteThis was a fun video call! And I love the dress!
ReplyDeleteSO lovely to see them with these Zoom calls. It is quite a personal touch isn't it? THey look great.. thanks for the post.
ReplyDeleteAs a retired nurse who worked at a nursing home, I know how much the residents love Bingo. This was very special for them, especially with these two royals. Thanks Charlotte!
ReplyDeleteWhere I am at all of the nursing homes are completely isolating from any outside visitors, including relatives, so this connection to the outside must have been very special and uplifting for the residents! Also I didn't realize that Bingo had its own 'lingo', and that it was interactive, loved it when they all quacked at 22 'two ducks'...what fun. cc
DeleteLOVE THIS! What a fun post, Joan's comment actually made me laugh out loud. William and Kate are wonderfully natural and pretty down to earth. I am loving seeing this side of them! Made me smile to see such a happy post. cc
ReplyDeleteThank you for saying it all for me, CeCe! 😃
DeleteI really love these small "mood lifter" engagements they have been doing during this weird time! Such sweet interactions!
ReplyDeleteI love Joan! 😂
ReplyDeleteIt's a cute video and a good cause. Still, getting a little tired of all their zoom meetings posted. It would be nice treat they get out and about again. Queen Maxima e.g. is already doing live meetings again which proves it is save and therefore doable. It would be soooo lovely to see our favourite Duchesse doing this too.
ReplyDeleteImke you may not be aware that lockdown is not over in the UK as yet. It is still being worked out so the Royals aren’t out and about yet because they work with the govt and the govt hasn’t figured things out.
Deletethey are setting a good example
DeleteThe government restrictions are different in different countries so what Máxima is doing does not necessarily apply to what other RFs should be doing.
DeleteYes, a live visit to the nursing home to play bingo would be nice. NOT! These vulnerable residents do not need outside exposure. The royals are following necessary protocol until there is no risk for them or others. Sure, we'd all like to see Kate out and about, but not until it's safe.
DeleteJust because one person has live meetings does not mean that everyone should too. It is like the old saying (or at least one my mom always said to me when I was young and felt I should be able to do something because other people were doing it) ... if everyone jumped off of a cliff, it doesn't mean you should also do the same.
DeleteI watched my dad struggle with emphysema and severe COPD to the point where he could hardly take a breath even on oxygen. If he hadn't already passed before this hit, I am sure he would have been one of the first victims. But seeing him struggle just to breath, I know that I do NOT want to suffocate to death. I am perfectly fine with Willian and Catherine holding virtual meetings until it becomes more safe to do so in person.
Border Terrier lover
I agree with Valerie and Sheila on the fact that Zoom meetings are the best way to operate for the Cambridges now. Plus we know they do things behind the scenes - cooking and delivering food in their area. But they keep their work SAFE. Not just for themselves, but for the others, too. If they did any public engagement, it would mean that they have to put together their security team, PAs, drivers, AND make them meet other people (staff and possibly clients/patients/recipients of their chosen engagement place). That is so much unnecessary exposure - for the Cambridges, their staff, the charities' staff and potentially clients.
DeleteElla
If you are referring to their May 4 visit to a war memorial, strict social distancing was observed. The United Kingdom has the second highest number of COVID-19 cases in the world. It would be completely inappropriate for the Cambridges to go out in public for now.
DeleteThank you for putting together such a lovely post. Your posts are always so informative and uplifting. I read some nasty comments in a newspaper that said "Enough Zoom meetings, they do nothing." And I was reminded of the story of the boy on the beach throwing starfish into the sea. A man asked him why he was bothering because there were clearly too many starfish--"What does it matter?" the man asked. The boy looked down at the starfish in his hand and then pitched him back into the sea--"It matters to this one." And that's how I feel when I see W & K doing what they can to reach out to those who are working hardest and who are most vulnerable. Those elderly ladies had the thrill of their lives, their carers were cheered up, the people that William met with on Zoom got to say what was in their hearts. It's something.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely and true comment, Valerie! 🌞
DeleteGreat story Valerie!! It does matter and it is something! cc
DeleteLovely pink dress. What a nice surprise for the people in this Care home.Nice of them to try to lift the peoples spirit.
ReplyDeleteThey're so sweet and funny together! What a joy to laugh with them on this video call. Tickety-boo!
ReplyDeleteValerie...your post was right on. This is not forever and if this is how W&K need to work right now so be it. At least they are being seen during this crazy time. We will all know when the time is right to be out in the world again.
DeleteAnd hello to you Rebecca-Sweden. Good to see your post. Hope you are doing well.
BINGO.. Lol, fantastic, interesting people all around the world are watching and folling their example.
ReplyDeleteLiving and working in a care home during this covid crisis has been almost as difficult as working as a frontline worker in a hospital setting. Here in Ontario Canada, that is the demographic that has been hit the hardest.
ReplyDeleteI have friends working in these homes and so I hear how stressful it can be to keep the residents safe physically while also needing to help them emotionally as it has been months since they have been able to see their families.
When I told my friend that William and Catherine played bingo via Zoom with some residents; she thought it a delightful idea.
I too am tired of Zoom but it is all we have right now and I applaud the Cambridge’s for doing what they can.
Thanks Charlotte for keeping us posted on what they are doing.
Joan's a tough audience! Very sweet. I'm so enjoying the videos from Will and Kate.
ReplyDeleteI loved this dress the first time she wore it, and still do! This is such a fun video! I love the dynamic between them. I bet the residents were excited to have the royals drop by!
ReplyDeleteHope from USA
What a fantastic idea. So kind and thoughtful to think of the older people in homes. Their work for the NHS, children and the very important issue of mental health problems, has been excellent. The way that they make it about the people rather than themselves also sets a great example. Williams mother would of been so proud of him and his choice of wife. Stepping up for Britain and the Queen.
ReplyDeleteI have been watching the royal engagements during lockdown with interest. Due to the nature of video-conferencing, what we see of these engagements are selected and produced by the royal teams. We are seeing things through the Cambridge lens and not through the lens of the media. No behind the scenes stories, no editorial takes. No focusing on what Kate is wearing. This is what I always wanted royal reporting to be, and now that we have it, I find it boring. Don’t get me wrong, Zoom is the best option at the moment and they are doing a great job within the lockdown regulations. But you can see that even here on Charlotte’s blog, comments have dwindled to 20-30 per post. Not because people are not interested, but there are really nothing to comment on. The majority of these engagements are not even making into newspapers.
ReplyDeleteThe royals and the media has always had this weird symbiotic relationship, the last few weeks has just highlighted that even though it is possible to bypass the media, you actually want those different camera angles, opnion pieces and yes, Kate’s outfits to get traction and coverage for the causes.
Maybe we have other priorities now. The real test will be once the covid19 crisis is over.
DeleteAnnette NZ, I agree with you, we have other priorities right now and the media focus is on our actual gov’ts are coping/not coping. Kudos to your Prime Minister who has maintained a steady, rational—some in our over-the-top, manic US would say “boring” approach. But nothing is further from the truth! She kept your country safe and bravo to her. What I see happening back in the U.K. is that William has really come to the fore in bringing “ordinary” people doing both extraordinary AND ordinary things to the forefront. Where elderly people are usually invisible, he and Kate have made them visible, reminding us that they, and their memories, are still among us. He has asked people in the caring professions deep questions about how they are doing and given them the option to speak in their own voices, not simply be reported on in a newspaper. We may not return to looking at Kate (and royalty) in the same way after this is over (will it BE over?) But she and William have been very much in evidence throughout this period and through their examples of being at home, being “different” from how they normally are, they have given us the opportunity to question how we too might be different both during this period and after. If we are exhausted as parents, that’s okay. If we realize we need to step up in terms of family relationships, caring for ourselves and for others, that’s okay too. If we are lonely, we aren’t alone. I think they’ve done a great job, quietly and carefully. If we want them to return to the glamor and glitz in the future so we can go back to our armchair observations, that’s okay. But I hope we have also used this period to reflect on what we found important in the past and will it still be so in the future?
DeleteI would completely agree that William and Kate have done an extraordinary job in unique circumstances. They are touching the everyday lives of people in ways that are relatable to all of us in one form or another. I think that they have also done an excellent job of using the digital and social media to get their message out to many who don't necessarily follow the print media, or royals for that matter. Their presence on Instagram has grown as they have posted their snippets of their digital meetings and they are getting quite a large numbers of followers, depending on the charity they are focusing on, and/or the photo (Princess Charlotte's birthday photos had 1.7M followers). They are reaching a new segment of population in a way that is part of the future, and like Valerie stated "they've done a great job, quietly and carefully." While I absolutely miss the physical engagements, Trooping of the Colors, Ascot, etc., I hope that some hybrid of the two can be achieved as I have come to enjoy the dialogue and personal nature of the digital presentations, especially when it comes to their charities and the glimpses into their personal life.
DeleteIt is also important to note that "Circulation of national newspaper titles has decreased 52.5% over the past eight years. National newspaper circulation in the UK has decreased from 22 million in 2010 to 10.4 million in 2018, a decline of 52.5%. ... The Daily Mail remains the most popular print paper for 30% of UK adults, followed by the Sun at 21%." The Queen states that "she must be seen to be believed", I think William and Kate are doing just that in a manner that makes them more relatable to a larger population. The monarchy still needs some of the glamour, glitz, and pageantry to maintain their some of their mystique, but this opening up of their personalities and the genuine down to earth style has its merits as well, especially going forward.
I would be careful about the impact some post or pictures have on twitter or Instagram. 1.7 million people are a lot of people but how many of them are from the UK or the CW? We just don’t know. Papers and TV keep being the primary source of information for the vast majority of people. Being popular online does not translate into being popular in real life. William’s documentary on the BBC seems more impactful to me than the bingo video if it’s only published on social median and not shared by TVs.
DeleteI agree that being popular online does not translate into being popular in real life, and that documentaries are by far more impactful in the grand scheme of things, but I do not underestimate the power of social media for reaching different sectors and getting the message out. How many of the people reading papers and watching TV are from the UK or the CW? Most or all of my information comes in the form of digital news or online; I discern what I believe to be reliable sources at all levels. Wish there were more documentaries, but for now I am grateful for the little snippets of what is going on in the royal world that I can get. While twitter to me is a complete waste of time, I see some value to Instagram, as I now watch sites that follow William, Charles, and Sophie and I know more about what they are doing now than if I wait for the paper or magazine. Just saying, it should not be ruled out as another source of getting important coverage in getting the messages out to the world. There are some very important initiatives that could be of benefit to people if they know about them.
DeleteThis is an interesting topic because you state 1.7 million are watching William and Kate, but it's a country of 66.5 million. It's very hard to relate to very wealthy persons isolated in their country mansions with hundreds of acres to relax and organic foods to eat. At least 64 million folks have no idea what they are up to. If no one is paying attention to them are they really worth the expense in a crises?
DeleteAs nice and kind as they are... is it worth it to allocate so many of the country's financial resources to their upkeep? What about the rest of the countrymen? These are tough questions for tough times. Hope everyone stays safe.
It is surely up to each country to decide what sort of government they want and how much to allow for the upkeep of their Monarch or President. After trying a republic under Oliver Cromwell the British chose to revert to a constitutional monarchy. Some of the most democratic and stable countries in the world still have a King of Queen as Head of State and a President can also be wealthy and out of touch with ordinary citizens. We need to respect each country's right to choose which system they prefer.
DeleteFlorida Moxie, no answers for you but their value to the country is also tourism revenue the BRF as an institution helps bring in to the country, their fundraising aid to individual organizations which is not reflected in how how many people might be watching them, how many people read about them but do not watch or follow as a habit, etc. I can't do that math without much more information so can not even begin to answer if the UK gets a return on their investment in the BRF.
Deletethat what fun zoom out its things even royals and goverment cannot help to figure out what will be the solution in these can of pandemic crisis
ReplyDeleteI loved this meeting!
ReplyDeleteI have a question: is Bingo something all British people know well? I was interested in their additional comments on the numbers--tickety-boo, little duck. This is not something I am familiar with, and I assume by their ease with the extra comments it is fairly typical for British people. I think it is fun, and I want to know more!
These small gestures of kindness during lockdown are so sweet of them. I have never cared for the 1980s style of this dress but it’s a pretty color for Kate. It’s important for them to keep this connection while they aren’t allowed to be out at public events. Good for them.
ReplyDeleteBingo is an odd phenomenon that is slightly embarrassing to talk about. My recollection is that it began to be a game played at commercial bingo halls in the Sixties. It developed from a children's game called housey housey, and the public halls were often old cinemas. It was and still is rather looked down on by educated people; and it appeared to be played by older retired or unemployed women of the working class. My perception is that there are far fewer bingo halls now, though I am not a good source of information as I rarely go to cities. I slightly cringed when I saw the Cambridges involving themselves in it, though I quite understand why they did and I applaud their sporting attitude.
ReplyDeleteI have to say, credit where it is due. The Duke and Duchess are doing a great job. In spite of their family obligations doubling so suddenly. More work, longer days, less time with the children. They rolled up their sleeves, smiled and got on with the vital work that they do on behalf of the Queen. Their hard work and sence of duty will be rewarded ten fold by the love and respect of the British people. Bravo.
ReplyDeleteRound of clapping needed. Lol.
DeleteI like seeing a modern couple using modern media to speak to people and causes they care about. I see a more relaxed side of them perhaps because there is no protocol, security details, or tons of cameras aimed at them. I’m fine seeing them work like this. Keep washing your hands, everyone .
ReplyDeleteI did a little research on Bingo. The game originated in the 1530s in Italy. The cards and markers evolved over time to teach children letters or multiplication. Also they were used or as games of chance. Current Bingo games use 90 balls in the U.K. and 75 the US. The main game as most of us know , ievolved in the U.K. and spread to the US in the 1920s . I learned that Bingo calls are different in each country. Also the U.K. had more purpose built Bingo halls, whereas the US used church halls and social clubs to for play.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure everyone will be happy when visits in person can be made! Or at least safe visits with masks and distancing.
ReplyDeleteI have noted a lot of people saying that now K&W have to work harder because H&M left. I don't think that's the case. They are not taking over the Sussexes' interests. But I read that Charles had more than 500 engagements last year. William and Kate had >200 and >100. I think any increase in engagements in 2020 would be due to the Queen stepping back and then to William's eventual taking over his father's position. Seems like it might be another 10 years before Kate can increase very much because of her young children, but I suspect William is going to be very busy. What he will be doing will not be things that Harry could have done.
Good point Anon 22:50, glad you pointed it out.
DeleteCharlotte, have you seen this article?
ReplyDeletehttps://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-8377213/Kate-Middleton-Prince-William-send-video-message-Australias-responders.html
You have been notably absent. Is everything alright?
Although I have never commented, I have been following this blog for ever so long. One of the things I know about this blog is that the speed in which it is updated. However, the fact that you haven't posted on Kate's last Zoom meeting with Australia's first respondents has kept me wondering if everything on your end is okay ... or have I missed something?
ReplyDeleteHello,
DeleteThank you so much for your comment. I've been unable to be online due to unexpected commitments, but I'm working on posts as we speak. I hope you're all well during these very difficult and trying times.
Thank you for your response, and relieved to know that you are well. So enjoy all that you post here, and looking forward to reading your next post.
DeleteThank you so much DP, I really appreciate that :)
Delete