The Duchess Zooms with Nurses "Going the Extra Mile"

Hello, I hope you're all having a lovely weekend.

On Tuesday, the Duchess of Cambridge spoke with several inspiring nurses from University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire about their experiences during the pandemic. Kensington Palace revealed, "The Duchess highlighted the vital role that nurses are playing in the vaccine roll-out and spoke with Caroline Rudd and Judith Smith, retired nurses who met when they began training at UHCW in 1978 and have now returned to the NHS to help with the vaccination programme in care homes. The Duchess also spoke to Professor Nina Morgan, Chief Nurse, and Vasu Lingappa, a Critical Care Outreach Practitioner, about caring for critically ill patients and the impact that this can have on staff wellbeing."

The Queen has given the Duke and Duchess permission to work from a room in Sandringham House. People reports:

'Queen Elizabeth has given William and Kate space to use at her Sandringham home, which is just a couple of miles from the couple's country house, Anmer Hall, where the family of five has been isolating. The monarch and Prince Philip are currently living at Windsor Castle amid the ongoing pandemic.

While at Sandringham House, they can conduct their video calls without any chance of interruption, while the other helps with the lessons that George, 7, and Charlotte, 5, are working on at home.'

The Duchess became royal patron of Nursing Now in 2020 having seen firsthand the impact of front-line medical professionals during visits to hospitals and hospices, and through her work in support of children's mental health and early intervention. The global campaign is aimed at raising the profile and status of nursing worldwide so nurses can make an even greater contribution at the heart of efforts to tackle the rising burden of disease. The effort has taken on a more significant meaning than ever before due to the pandemic.

During the call, the Duchess told nurses, "We hear time and time again about the amazing things nurses up and down the country are doing and going that extra mile. It’s the things that are not part of the training and the things that you’re taught, but the things that come from your heart. I think that’s what matters so much now: these acts of kindness to the patients you’re looking after." Kate heard from an amazing nurse who exemplified going the extra mile for a patient battling Covid-19 by singing Bon Jovi songs.

The Mirror reports:

'The Duchess this week spoke with Caroline Rudd and Judith Smith, two retired nurses who first met when they began training in 1978 and have returned to the NHS together to help with the vaccination programme in care homes.

Caroline told Kate: “I’m supposed to be retired, I left nursing three years ago after 40 years with the NHS, but when the pandemic came along I felt the need to come back and I’m currently working as part of a vaccinations team out in the community.”

Beaming Kate told her: “Well done for coming back!”

Kate added: “Well 2020 was supposed to be the year to celebrate nurses and midwives across the country, who would have thought we would have a pandemic like this, so a huge well done.

“It cannot be underestimated the work that you are doing and a huge huge thank you for all that you have done, and continue to do in probably one of the most challenging times that has ever faced the NHS.”

Kate wore a black blazer and white shirt with what appears to be her Simone Rocha pearl earrings. She also debuted a longer hairstyle than we've seen in some time. I've always loved longer hair on Kate and look forward to seeing it more.

On Tuesday, the Duchess also held a Zoom call with Holocaust survivors and Holocaust Educational Trust’s youth ambassadors. I wouldn't be surprised to see Steven Frank and Yvonne Bernstein, two holocaust survivors the Duchess photographed last year, included in the call. Holocaust Memorial Day takes place on 27 January. We should hear more then.

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We also have a couple of fashion updates to share today. Kate's much-loved Canadian Tartan Maple Leaf scarf is back in stock at Etsy for £15. The Duchess most recently wore it on the wonderful Royal Train mini-tour.

Kate's Boden Abercorn Scallop Cardigan in frosted blue is available for pre-order (with thanks to Kate's Closet).

As I'm working on a new series of Kate Loves posts, please do share your suggestions in the comments :)