Kate Middleton catches up with Sir Ben Ainslie back in London

Duchess Catherine catches up with an old friend after returning to London from lockdown

The Duchess has just arrived back in London after a lengthy stay in Norfolk during the lockdown period.

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Duchess Catherine has returned to London after a six month stint in her country home in Norfolk, and there was one person she clearly couldn’t wait to catch up with.

As revealed by the daily Court Circular, the Duchess of Cambridge shared a phone call with an acquaintance she met back in 2012, and while the premise of the call might have been with business in mind, we’ve no doubt it was also high time for a good, friendly check-in.

Published in British newspaper, The Times, Kate “held a meeting with Sir Benedict Ainslie via telephone”.

The British Knight, known as Ben, and who is the captain for Team Great Britain for the America’s Cup, first met Kate back in 2012 when he competed in the London 2012 Olympics.

He won a gold medal at the time, making him a familiar face in UK circles.

In 2014, the pair met again at an engagement celebrating the UK’s America’s Cup bid.

Going by the pictures of them together, it looks like they get along very well.

Kate and Ben clearly get along like a house on fire.

(Getty)

Kate’s call with Ben came in line with her patronage, the 1851 Trust, which works to help the next generation within the sailing and marine industry.

The sportsman is gearing up to take part in the 36th America’s Cup in New Zealand in March next year, so it’s no wonder things are beginning to ramp up for him – all starting with a call from a royal, no less.

The pair have spent time together during a number of royal-attended sporting events.

(Getty)

Earlier this week, Kate and Wills stepped out together in central London to shine a light on those affected by the spike in unemployment rates, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

They visited a local bakery where they made bagels, as well as visiting a job centre near London Bridge.

The pair looked happy and relaxed after returning to London. Until recently, they were bunkering down in their Norfolk home, Anmer Hall.

Their two eldest children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, have now returned to school for the new year after learning from home throughout the UK lockdown.