Duchess Kate and Prince William paired up for a second day of royal engagements this week by visiting health care workers in the northwest of England.
The couple arranged to carry out two appointments in Lancashire on January 20 to speak with frontline staffers who have experienced unique challenges faced by rural health providers during the coronavirus pandemic.
At the Clitheroe Community Hospital, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge—who re-wore a camel wool coat by Massimo Dutti, a roll-neck jumper from Reiss, and a pair of $100 earrings from Missoma—spoke with doctors, nurses, and hospital workers who have received mental health support from Britain’s National Health Service’s Charities Together initiative.
William and Kate also experienced a form of therapy that has proved popular with staff and patients: cockapoo puppy Alfie. The therapy dog, who will soon be trained to support patients and workers at the hospital, took an immediate liking to the royal pair, cuddling up to them as they took turns holding him. He will join six-year-old Jasper, an award-winning therapy dog already working across the Trust.
As she stroked Alfie one last time before William handed him back, Kate joked, “Our dog is going to be very upset, she’s going to be like, ‘Where have you been?!’”
NHS Charities Together—of which the Cambridges are both patrons—has spent the past year working to support the mental well-being of hospital personnel, donating more than $410,000 to provide a number of different modalities for the 9,000 staffers working across the East Lancashire Hospitals Trust, including a staff well-being room and wellness packages.
Later in the day, the duke and duchess visited Church on the Street, a two-year-old charity started by a former drug dealer to help the homeless and people living in poverty in and around the town of Burnley.
Its founder, Pastor Mick Fleming, took the couple on a tour of the former gym, which has been built into an open-door space offering refuge and safety for anyone in the community who may be struggling, including those having difficulty with their mental health.
William and Kate spent time chatting with Pastor Mick, volunteers, and staff to hear about their motivations for working with the nonprofit. They also chatted with 11-year-old Deacon Glover, who was supported by Church on the Street after the death of his mother.
Though the day covered serious topics, the couple still found time for jokes. When Kate cradled receptionist Trudie Barrie’s baby, Anastasia, William pleaded with onlookers who were oohing and aahing, “Don’t give my wife any more ideas! No more!”
Omid Scobie is BAZAAR.com’s Royal Editor at Large and has covered the lives and philanthropic work of the younger members of the British Royal Family for over eight years. As well as spearheading exclusive coverage of major royal milestones (including the weddings of both the Cambridges and Sussexes), Scobie has traveled extensively with Harry, Meghan, William and Kate on their engagements in the U.K. and around the world. As ABC News’s Royal Contributor, Scobie is a regular on Good Morning America and host of the network’s forthcoming podcast, The Heir Pod.
