Following several engagements in Scotland and Berwick-Upon-Tweed, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge took the royal train to Batley in West Yorkshire and Manchester to highlight the importance of community initiatives and reaching out to others, as demonstrated by the Duchess herself throughout the pandemic.
The whistle-stop tour took the couple to Edinburgh and Berwick-Upon-Tweed before a late afternoon stop in Batley.
Their first port of call was a local community centre which supported elderly people throughout the pandemic by dropping off groceries and essentials, keeping in touch via phone and sending activity packs.
Seeing the festive touches at stops along the way was a highlight of the day for me, and I'm sure I'm not the only one longing for a return to normality. The Christmas trees and decorations on show are a reminder of the community spirit we've seen in villages, towns and cities all over the world this year. A bright light and a spot of cheer as we all look to happier times ahead.
'The Duchess of Cambridge has secretly been volunteering during the Covid pandemic, making phone calls to 85-year-old full-time carer Len Gardner, The Sun can reveal. Dispensing with formality, she insisted: “Call me Catherine.” Kate, 38, and Len were connected earlier in the year by the Royal Voluntary Service.
During two lengthy conversations during the first lockdown, Kate chatted away to her new friend about making pasta and taking her children to watch sheep shearing.
Len, from Batley, West Yorks, said: “Never in my wildest imagination did I think I would be talking on the phone to the future Queen of England.
“I will treasure our conversations for the rest of my life. Those calls helped me because they gave me something to look forward to.”
It's been an incredibly tough year for Len who cares for his wife Shirley and is battling bladder cancer.
Len revealed they discussed the children quite a bit. "She told me Prince George and Princess Charlotte were playing in the garden and she was keeping an eye on them through the window. Apparently they have thousands of sheep down at Sandringham and her eldest children couldn’t understand how we get wool without killing the animal. It was the sort of conversation I might have with anyone about their family. She didn’t mention William much. But I gabble on a lot."
A first meeting in person for The Duchess of Cambridge and Len Gardner, who The Duchess has spoken to previously as part of the NHS Volunteer Responder ‘Check-in and Chat’ scheme.
— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) December 7, 2020
📍 Batley | 🚂 #RoyalTrainTour pic.twitter.com/W1uTQsX6o8
The pair chatted about their shared interest in the Scouts and pasta. The latter which led to an unexpected delivery for Len. Following a discussion about pasta, Kate asked Len if he had a pasta maker; he told her didn't. Three days later one was delivered to his door from the Duchess. It's an example of the value of kindness especially during a year like no other. Kate's time and her thoughtful gift meant so much to Len.
If you are considering volunteering in a similar way, click here to visit the Royal Voluntary Service's website. The Queen has been patron since 1952.
From there, KP shared this image on Instagram with the caption, "Where to next?"
In Manchester, William and Kate visited Fare Share, a charity fighting hunger and food waste by redistributing good-quality, in-date produce.
To adequately convey the efforts and success of the charity, it is perhaps most appropriate to look at the numbers: 20,892 volunteer hours given; 1,468 tonnes of food redistributed; 232 Community Food Members supplied; and 3,470,440 meals provided in 2018 and 2019.
The Duke and Duchess met staff and volunteers.
During a brief speech William said, "Catherine and I felt that it was extremely important to visit just some of the heroes that have emerged this year to thank you for all that you have done. You are the people that have not only kept our country going but have also helped warm all our hearts by showing us the very best of human nature."
A video from the speech.
The Duke of Cambridge’s speech at @FareShareUK this evening, a brilliant charity that is part of @thetimes and @thesundaytimes Christmas 🎄charity appeal this year #RoyalTrainTour pic.twitter.com/lR05yv2IIG
— Roya Nikkhah (@RoyaNikkhah) December 7, 2020
The Duchess was in a navy ensemble and two different sweaters for the evening.
Readers will recognise Kate's Hobbs London Bianca Coat first worn in Wales in February.
The long, military-inspired piece is described as, "Crafted from a luxurious wool-rich fabric, the Bianca from Hobbs is a timeless layer you'll still be wearing years from now. Expertly tailored, it's cut to a maxi silhouette and features burnished crested buttons and shoulder epaulettes." The piece is on sale in black at John Lewis.
I really like Kates look today the pants are a great match to the coat. I like both the cream jumpers but the Troy x Bror jumper looks a bit odd with the cuffs extending past the coat sleeves to me. Not being from a cold climate owning so many coats is foreign to me but its nice to see all the different coats Kate has!
ReplyDeleteLove the additional activities. She and William are doing a wonderful job. I really like that they are showcasing musicians and checking base with individuals and various groups of different sizes. Fashion wise, that coat is great and the two sweaters beautiful. The slacks work really well with the coat and sweaters. Can't wait to see the stops tomorrow. Thanks for the share it is a nice uplift from a such a hard year for everyone.
ReplyDeleteThey really have done a wonderful job this year trying to connect via Zoom and keep spirits up and thanks to those on the front lines. What a lovely way to finish the year. All class!
ReplyDeleteyes i love the extra enagement and ita will fantastic way to end the day
ReplyDeleteI love the feeling of thankfulness, togetherness and joy that William and Kate are bringing with this tour. A simple thank you means so much, and for them to bring national attention to thanking people who have been through so much this year is a lovely thing. We need more positivity in this world, and this thank you tour is over flowing with that—the personal visits mixed with the bigger picture group works and the holiday cheer sprinkled throughout is a lovely boost in hope.
ReplyDeleteA little late in posting but have been following all of these posts so thank you Charlotte! I love this Hobbs coat (but navy is a favourite of mine! ) the long wide pants and the sweaters is very chic. Dress Pants have made a real comeback this last year and a half and pre-COVID young women in my office were wearing lots of very smart pant suits. I also loved the Maple Leaf plaid scarf the Duchess wore on the first night. It was the perfect match with the imbecibly tailored McQueen coat. I think this tour is a brilliant idea and Kensington Palaces social game has been on point. Great work all around.
ReplyDeleteLove both looks today! I really love the "Faire Isle" looking sweater. Festive and seasonal. I think the royal blue coat, pants and shoes really gave everything a professional look while being in NHS colors. Very nice.
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