Kate Middleton spent wedding anniversary speaking to midwives and new mums in 'virtual' hospital visit
She celebrated nine years of marriage to Prince William on Wednesday - but Kate Middleton spent their wedding anniversary carrying out a “virtual visit” to an NHS maternity unit.
The Duchess of Cambridge, 38, surprised midwives and new mums at Kingston Hospital in South-West London, where she had spent two days on a work placement last November, via video call from her Norfolk country home of Anmer Hall.
One person she can be seen meeting on camera - in a clip shared on Instagram - was Rebecca Attwood, who had given birth the previous evening.
The royal mum-of-three, wearing a £275 blue and white jumper by British designer Tabitha Webb, said: “Hello! Very nice to meet you.
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“This is definitely a first, I think! Huge congratulations.”
After Kate was told that the Rebecca’s son Max - who is briefly shown on camera - had arrived at 10pm the day before, she exclaimed: “My goodness, you must be exhausted.”
The duchess also met lead midwife Sam Frewin who appeared on camera wearing Personal Protective Equipment, including a face mask and apron.
She joked: “I'm smiling, can you tell?”
Laughing, Kate replied: “With your eyes, I can.”
Footage of the “virtual visit” - which according to the Court Circular took place on April 29th - has been released ahead of Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, which begins tomorrow,
It aims to highlight the fact one in ten mothers experience problems during pregnancy or in the first year after birth.
A statement, released alongside the video on social media, read: “The Duchess of Cambridge has spoken with midwives, health visitors, parents and leading sector experts about the challenges and impact that COVID-19 is having on new and expectant mothers and their families.
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“Click the link in our bio or swipe up in our Story to watch the full film of The Duchess’s conversations, held ahead of the UK’s Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week — which aims to create wider awareness of maternal mental health, and signposts support for parents #MaternalMHmatters.”
The video has been viewed more than 2.2m times, with more than 3,000 leaving comments.
One person wrote: “She’s the best!!!”
Another shared: “So warm and sweet.”
A third added: “Lovely as always!!”
Kate celebrated her anniversary in lockdown on the Sandringham Estate with the Duke of Cambridge, 37, as well as their three children Prince George, six, Princess Charlotte, five, and Prince Louis, two.
Yesterday, she and the duke marked their daughter’s birthday with photographs of her helping deliver fresh, homemade pasta to vulnerable and elderly neighbours last month.
