Royals

Duchess Catherine penned a rare, heartfelt letter from lockdown – and it addresses an important issue

The Duchess of Cambridge has had a lot on her mind since the pandemic hit.
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Duchess Catherine has been growing ever more confident in her role as a senior royal family member with every year, and her latest update only adds to the feat.

While she remains in lockdown with her family in the UK amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the 38-year-old royal mum has still kept herself busy and made the most of her surroundings to continue her work as a senior royal.

This includes bringing to light issues and causes that are deeply important to her – though not always in the way you’d expect.

Last week, Catherine surprised two brand new British parents – as well as fans – with a video call to them from her home Anmer Hall in Norfolk where she is self-isolating.

During the call, the Duchess brought to light an important issue that’s clearly on her mind.

“This is definitely a first, I think!” Kate said at the beginning of the video, before finding out that the two new parents, Rebecca and John had welcomed their baby the night before.

“My goodness, you must be exhausted,” Kate added.

The call came in line with UK Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week (which takes place May 4-10), where she learned about how the coronavirus pandemic has altered the birthing experience for new parents.

And if the call from the Duchess herself didn’t come as a surprise to some, what followed certainly did – she followed up with an incredible letter written to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists to mark the special week.

Duchess Catherine surprised two new parents with a video call earlier this month.

(Kensington Royal)

In the letter, she wrote: “Through my work around early childhood, I have learnt that our experiences during our earliest years, even while we are still in the womb, shape not only our evolving minds and bodies but all aspects of our development.”

She continued: “At this particularly anxious time, it is therefore more crucial than ever that we provide the right care for pregnant women and new mothers.

“Care that supports women’s emotional, as well as physical, health, to ensure that mothers prioritise their own mental wellbeing when they are under so much pressure.”

The Duchess is passionate about children, and her work in the space reflects as much.

(Kensington Royal)

The Duchess is particularly passionate about children and early childhood, having had three kids herself.

Her work in the space reaches people from all over Britain, from brand new parents to parents of school age children.

Last week, the Duchess took part in a roundtable discussion, which included a steering group of maternal health experts.

Together, they discussed the impact that COVID-19 has had on their work, and the increase lockdown could have on anxiety among women who are pregnant and who have just given birth.

WATCH: Duchess Catherine and Prince William speak to BBC Breakfast via video call from isolation. Story continues…

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Kate is currently residing at her country home alongside husband Prince William and their three children Prince George, six, Princess Charlotte, five and Prince Louis, two.

And despite things being a little uncertain even for the family themselves during this period, it’s great to see them still leveraging their influence for the greater good.

We’re sure there is more to come!

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