Kate Middleton Joins In on the Royal Family’s Check In and Chat Series

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, has joined Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, in scheduling routine phone calls with elderly U.K. citizens self-isolating alone due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Per People, the royals are working alongside Royal NHS Volunteer Responders for Duchess Camilla’s Check In and Chat initiative, taking the time to talk with individuals who are alone, caring for a loved one, or needing to self-quarantine in order to stop the spread of the coronavirus in the U.K.

According to the outlet, Kate spoke with Donna Williams, a 42-year-old mother of two who is taking care of her daughter who suffers from a rare form of type 1 diabetes, while Sophie chatted with Harry Deboo, an 89-year-old man from Liverpool who lost his wife three years prior.

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The Duchess of Cornwall had a friendly chat with 90-year-old Betty from Hampshire to see how she was coping at this difficult time and lend a friendly ear. Dame Esther Rantzen, founder of @TheSilverLineUK, also joined the call. HRH first spoke to Betty when visiting the charity’s headquarters in 2017 and this week they spoke about how hard it is being separated from family and Betty’s memories of the war. It is more important than ever for older people to have people to speak to and somewhere to turn to for support. @TheSilverLineUK, of which The Duchess of Cornwall is Patron, is a charity that operates a 24-hour helpline for older people to call if they are lonely or in need of help. Those wishing to speak to someone can call ? 0800 470 8090, day or night. @Age_UK have launched a Coronavirus Emergency Appeal to help their charity partner @TheSilverLineUK to continue to provide round-the-clock support and a listening ear whenever an older person needs it. Find out more over on @Age_UK.

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“It was great to chat to The Countess of Wessex and really made my week,” Deboo said in a statement. “I have one son who doesn’t live locally—so I don’t get to see many people—especially now. I also like to keep the memory of my wife alive and it was great to chat about her. She really listened to every word and it was great to share our lockdown experiences together!”

Camilla’s Check In and Chat program was the first initiative the royal began after a two-week period of isolation following her husband Prince Charles’s coronavirus diagnosis back in March. Kate has also remained busy working from home amid the global health crisis, including having started a mental health initiative for emergency responders and organizing a virtual photo exhibition centered around the cultural pause caused by the pandemic.

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