It’s tickety boo – William and Kate have the bingo lingo
‘I’m particularly worried about how young people are going to cope long term … we’re all muddling through’
‘We’ll say a big thankyou. We’ll try and do a bit better at bingo next time’
THE Duke and Duchess of Cambridge proved a dab hand in a new role as bingo callers, as they paid a virtual visit to a care home.
The Duke and Duchess threw themselves into their new roles, using a spinner at home as they called out “one little duck, number two!” and “six and two, tickety-boo!” to lead the makeshift bingo hall.
Elderly residents at the Shire Hall care home in Cardiff proclaimed their bingo-calling skills “very good”, though one – with exacting standards – joked their performance “wasn’t as good as it should have been”.
The Duke and Duchess joined residents Margaret Stocks, Margaret Jones, Ray Donoghue and Joan Drew-smith via video call, entering into the spirit of the game from afar having clearly practised their bingo lingo ahead of time.
The Duchess picked the first ball, holding it up to the screen and telling them: “So, the first number is five and eight, 58.”
The Duke followed with “One little duck, number two,” followed by his wife with “Eight and seven, 87” and “six and two, tickety-boo”.
They did not get on to other bingo favourites “17, Dancing Queen” or “21, Royal Salute or Key of the Door”.
Asked by the second-in-line to the throne whether he had “done OK” with his calls, Ms Drew-smith, who won, left the royal couple giggling by telling them “very good” before clarifying: “Wasn’t as good as it should have been.”
Mrs Stocks later described the game as “amazing” and “a wonderful afternoon” which she was “happy to be part of ”.
After chatting to residents, the Duke and Duchess signed off for the day as William told them: “We’ll say a big thank-you and goodbye to everybody.
“We’ll try and do a bit better at bingo next time.”
The residents were then able to enjoy a glass of wine and a cake arranged by the Cambridges.
The couple also spoke to staff at the care home, hearing about working in personal protective equipment and boosting morale with activities. Staff also described a new app for residents and relatives to swap pictures, videos, music and memories during the Covid-19 lockdown.
The Duke took part in several other calls with social care providers, sharing his concern about the effect of the lockdown on young people too.
In a video call to social workers in Northern Ireland, he heard how children have been given giant teddy bears to hug by proxy because they have to socially distance from their carers.
Staff have also printed photographs of themselves smiling to pin to their front, while they are wearing masks or visors. The Duke said: “I’m particularly worried as to how the young people are going to cope long-term, because we’re all muddling through this period at the moment and helping each other.
“But the long-term implications of school being missed, anxiety levels, family members sadly dying and the sort of general economic outlook … Do you think that’s going to play heavily on your services and what they’ll need?”
He heard they were expecting a rise in referrals to mental health services.
Dr Clare Mckenna, a child psychiatrist, told him: “The children I work with don’t understand social distancing.”
The Duke, who has three young children, replied: “That’s all children, isn’t it? I don’t think any children understand social distancing.”