William and Kate have relatable problem as they try to have a conversation through their masks on royal visit

Rebecca Taylor
·Royal Correspondent
Updated ·4-min read

Watch: Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit London Bridge Jobcentre to meet those impacted by COVID-19

Prince William and Kate took part in their first joint engagements since their summer break, donning masks and practicing social distancing in East London.

The couple visited an iconic East London bagel shop at the end of a day of engagements in the capital, where they dropped into a job centre and a mosque.

The duke and duchess first visited a job centre in London Bridge, where they spoke to people being helped back into work as lockdown eases.

They then went to the East London Mosque and London Muslim Centre in Whitechapel where they heard about how volunteers had been helping to deliver warm meals, food and hygiene packs and medication to vulnerable members of the community.

As they ended the day at Beigel Bake in London’s Brick Lane, William encountered a problem facing many Brits as he struggled to be understood and had to repeat himself as he chatted to the shop’s staff about supply chain issues through the pandemic.

Royal editor Emily Andrews, who accompanied them on the trip, tweeted: “It is quite difficult to have conversations through these masks, but Kate & William are definitely trying at the Beigel Bake Brick Lane Bakery!”

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during a visit to the East London Mosque where they chatted to volunteers who cooked and delivered meals to vulnerable members of the community during the pandemic.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during a visit to the East London Mosque where they chatted to volunteers who cooked and delivered meals to vulnerable members of the community during the pandemic. (PA)
Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (L) and Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (R) speak to employers at the London Bridge Jobcentre, in London on September 15, 2020. - The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge carried out engagements in London today to meet local communities, hear about the challenges they have faced over the last six months, and shine a light on individuals and businesses who have gone above and beyond to help others during this extraordinary time. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / POOL / AFP) (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
William has an animated chat during the visit to the job centre in London Bridge. (AFP)
Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (L), and Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (R) speak to employers at the London Bridge Jobcentre, in London on September 15, 2020. - The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge carried out engagements in London today to meet local communities, hear about the challenges they have faced over the last six months, and shine a light on individuals and businesses who have gone above and beyond to help others during this extraordinary time. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / POOL / AFP) (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Kate laughs as William chats to the employers and customers about the impact of lockdown. (AFP)

Read more: William and Kate share throwback photo to wish Prince Harry a happy birthday

William and Kate, who have moved back down south from their home in Norfolk, also visited a job centre, and a mosque as they spoke to Londoners about how they had coped during the coronavirus lockdown.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had been in Anmer Hall, their home on the Sandringham Estate, since March, but probably moved back when Prince George and Princess Charlotte were due back at school at Thomas’s Battersea.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during a visit to the East London Mosque where they chatted to volunteers who cooked and delivered meals to vulnerable members of the community during the pandemic.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge spoke to volunteers at the East London Mosque about the help they provided to the community. (PA)
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during a visit to the East London Mosque where they chatted to volunteers who cooked and delivered meals to vulnerable members of the community during the pandemic.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge made sure to follow social distancing rules where they didn't need to wear their coverings. (PA)

Read more: Prince William jokes about relief as Prince George and Princess Charlotte go back to school

While at the Islamic Centre, they met people who have benefitted from funds from the National Emergencies Trust, of which William is a patron.

It was through the NET that William, 38, made the first royal statement about the coronavirus pandemic in March.

The final trip of the day was to Beigel Bake Brick Lane Bakery, a 24-hour bagel shop well known in East London.

The couple helped shape and shift some of the dough for the iconic treat, and heard about how the shop had to reduce its hours during the pandemic, and how that impacted their staff.

Watch: William and Kate visit famous East London bakery and help make bagels

Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and his wife Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge knead dough during a visit to Beigel Bake Brick Lane Bakery in east London on September 15, 2020. - The 24-hour bakery was forced to reduce their opening hours during the pandemic and The Duke and Duchess heard how this affected employees, as well as the ways in which the shop has helped the local community through food donation and delivery. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / various sources / AFP) (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
The duchess got stuck into helping to make the beigels. (AFP)
Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (L) and his wife Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge help make beigels during a visit to Beigel Bake Brick Lane Bakery in east London on September 15, 2020. - The 24-hour bakery was forced to reduce their opening hours during the pandemic and The Duke and Duchess heard how this affected employees, as well as the ways in which the shop has helped the local community through food donation and delivery. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / POOL / AFP) (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
William and Kate help make beigels during a visit to Beigel Bake Brick Lane Bakery in east London (AFP)
Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and his wife Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge use an anti-bacterial hand gel to sanitise their hands during a visit to Beigel Bake Brick Lane Bakery in east London on September 15, 2020. - The 24-hour bakery was forced to reduce their opening hours during the pandemic and The Duke and Duchess heard how this affected employees, as well as the ways in which the shop has helped the local community through food donation and delivery. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / various sources / AFP) (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
They used hand sanitiser before they got stuck in. (AFP)

Kate, 38, was wearing a red Beulah dress for the engagement, and tan heels. She and William also wore face coverings and observed social distancing.

The dress has been worn on a couple of occasions recently by the duchess, including in May when she and William were part of the mental health minute, that saw them take over radio stations across the UK.

William and Kate are beginning to step up in person visits after a summer carrying out engagements online because of restrictions on travel and the number of people allowed to gather.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during a visit to the East London Mosque where they chatted to volunteers who cooked and delivered meals to vulnerable members of the community during the pandemic.
The Duchess of Cambridge wore a red Beulah dress which she has worn on a number of occasions. (PA)
The Duchess of Cambridge during a visit to the East London Mosque where she chatted to volunteers who cooked and delivered meals to vulnerable members of the community during the pandemic.
The Duchess of Cambridge wore her hair loose during the trip around the capital. (PA)

The details of their engagements are being embargoed so that crowds don’t gather to see them.

William went to Belfast last week to meet some of Northern Ireland’s emergency workers, but Kate did not travel with him.

This is their first joint in-person engagement since their summer break.

Watch: How to wear a face covering comfortably

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