The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been checking up on their patronages via phone, and have released a statement offering support and encouraging social cohesion during the uncertain time of lockdown.
In new photos released by Kensington Palace, Catherine is seated at a desk at her London home, mimicking what millions across the country are currently doing: working from home. She speaks to the CEO of her patronage, Place2Be over the phone.
Many, however, have joked that Catherine looks rather more well-presented than most when working from home…!
The Duchess of Cambridge speaking to Catherine Roche, CEO of children’s mental health charity Place2Be, on the phone (Kensington Palace)
Prince William is also shown on the phone, talking to Paul Farmer, CEO of Mind, from his office.
We also had a photo of The Queen conducting her weekly audience with the Prime Minister over the phone.
The images comes from last week, when The Duke and Duchess paid a visit to the London Ambulance 111 call centre, which deals with non-emergency calls. The centre explained that they had seen a five-fold increase in calls, following the spread of coronavirus in the UK.
The Duke of Cambridge chats to the CEO of MInd as he ‘works from home’ (Kensington Palace)
The couple said that recent weeks had been ‘anxious and unsettling for everyone’, as the government has introduced social distancing measures, which have shut down shops, restaurants and businesses.
We expect new guideline updates from Public Health England on coping with social distancing and self-isolation. The Government has also announced a £5 million grant for mental health charities. The NHS ‘Every Mind Matters’ platform has been updated to reflect the current situation.
“The last few weeks have been anxious and unsettling for everyone,” the Duke and Duchess said in a statement. “We have to take time to support each other and find ways to look after our mental health.
“It is great to see the mental health sector working together with the NHS to help people keep on top of their mental well-being,” the future King and Queen write.
“By pulling together and taking simple steps each day, we can all be better prepared for the times ahead.”
On Saturday, the UK death toll for Coronavirus passed the 1000 mark, as a super-hospital to treat Covid-19 patients is being constructed within the Excel centre in London.
The Cambridge family are understood to be at Anmer Hall in Norfolk, while The Queen remains at Windsor. Prince Charles is fighting his case of coronavirus up at Birkhall, Aberdeenshire.
