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British RoyalsCoronavirusPrince & Princess of Wales

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge celebrate volunteers

William and Kate, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge marked the end of Volunteers Week in the United Kingdom by releasing a video of their calls with two charities that work with the public.

William and Kate spoke with Conscious Youth, based in Kirklees, West Yorkshire, and Machynlleth Community Corona Response in Powys, Wales. The Royal Family website noted that in both calls, the royal couple “passed on their thanks for the time and commitment that each volunteer, and those from across the organisations’ wider volunteering networks, give to ensure the provision of support and services within their communities.”

In the call to Conscious Youth, William revealed that he has been helping out with Shout UK as a crisis text-line volunteer. “I’m going to share a little secret with you guys but I’m actually on the platform volunteering.”

Another volunteer with Conscious Youth revealed that he was teaching younger children how to play chess, with Kate quipping, “You’ll have to give me lessons, I’m terrible!”

The Duke asked volunteers at the Machynlleth Community Corona Response, in a joking moment, “Can any of you explain to me why all of us were bulk buying toilet roll?”

The Duchess also told volunteered: “One of the things that would be amazing, I think, is if everyone in their communities is to carry on and still celebrate volunteering in the way that everyone has been during the pandemic.

“Everyone’s got something to give back.”

The Royal Family website revealed: “Over the past few weeks, The Duke and Duchess have been playing their own part in the national volunteering effort. In April, Their Royal Highnesses and their family visited the Sandringham Estate where they packed up and delivered food parcels to isolated pensioners in the local area.”

In addition to William’s volunteering as a Shout operator, Kate has been making phone calls to isolated people with the NHS, alongside The Duchess of Cornwall and The Countess of Wessex.

“Thank you for all the volunteering you’re doing,” William said in a written statement to volunteers across the United Kingdom. “Thank you for all the time and effort you’re putting in. You have been a lifeline to all the people who you’ve helped in the area.”

About author

Jess Ilse is the Assistant Editor at Royal Central. She specialises in the British, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish Royal Families and has been following royalty since Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee. Jess has provided commentary for media outlets in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Jess works in communications and her debut novel THE MAJESTIC SISTERS will publish in Fall 2024.