Kate: We’ve all turned over a new leaf in lockdown
The kids love gardens...and there’s a blooming mess in the kitchen too
THE Queen gave a personal message of support to British businesses reopening after lockdown yesterday.
She praised their “heart-warming” approach to the pandemic in helping healthcare workers and vulnerable communities.
The monarch also acknowledged their efforts to rebuild trade, as non-essential shops begin to reopen and seek lost customers.
Her speech was part of a co-ordinated approach by the Royal Family to boost the spirits of flagging retailers trying to get back on their feet after the coronavirus crisis.
The Queen remains at Windsor Castle with a reduced number of 22 staff in what has been nicknamed HMS Bubble.
In the message sent to the British Chambers of Commerce, she said: “As many organisations around the country are reopening, I send my warmest best wishes and support to business communities throughout the United Kingdom, Commonwealth and across the world.
“At a time of great difficulty for many, it is heart-warming to see the civic response and generosity of so many businesses, small and large, to the challenges posed, whether supporting the health sector or vulnerable communities.
“As patron of the British Chambers of Commerce it gives me great pride to see the contribution you and your members are making to help firms, champion trade and rebuild communities.
Success
“I wish all businesses every success in their endeavours in the weeks and months ahead.”
Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith, the BCC’s president, welcomed the Queen’s intervention.
She said: “The Queen’s personal message of support will be a huge morale boost to our business communities at this complex and sensitive time.
“We are grateful that Her Majesty has recognised the crucial role the Chambers of Commerce play supporting businesses and communities through the pandemic, and as we restart, rebuild and renew the economy.”
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge yesterday highlighted the tough times businesses have been through and encouraged people to get out and visit them.
Prince William, 37, went to a bakery in King’s Lynn and his wife visited a garden centre at Fakenham, near their home at Anmer Hall on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk.
William heard how Smiths the Bakers, which holds a royal warrant for supplying goods to the Queen and has been trading since 1971, was managing during the pandemic.
He said: “The important thing is that shops like yours can get the footfall back in again and the high street and town feel like it’s getting a little bit more back to normal.”
The Prince was presented with a birthday cake by shop staff – he turns 38 tomorrow. Kate visited Fakenham Garden Centre, a family-run business that first opened in 1984.
Its co-owner Martin Turner told her: “This has been the most challenging thing we’ve ever experienced. “We have 50 staff and we had to furlough around 15.”
Prince Charles has also tried to support businesses through his charities during the pandemic.
And throughout the crisis, the Countess of Wessex has continued her work as founding chair of the Women’s Network Forum, bringing together senior figures in UK companies to discuss how to advance women in the workplace. Buckingham Palace announced yesterday that the monarchy’s annual financial reports, normally published in June, have been delayed until autumn because of problems preparing the accounts.
KATE and William have told how they and their children cope with the virus lockdown – and revealed the youngsters have been “attacking” the kitchen with flour and chocolate during family baking sessions.
In her first face-to-face engagement for three months, the Duchess of Cambridge, 38, told garden centre staff she and William had found the social effects of the pandemic unsettling. She said: “When we do our food shopping we notice that everyone keeps their head down and it’s hard for that social interaction.” Wearing khaki Superga trainers, brown jeans, a £175 Fjallraven hunting waistcoat and green Monica Vinader earrings, Kate bought seeds for Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis and plants at Fakenham Garden Centre, Norfolk, on Thursday.
The duchess told owners Martin and Jennie Turner that she and her children loved coming to garden centres – and said that George, six, enjoyed playing with Venus fly trap plants.
She told them Charlotte, Louis and George children had been growing tomato plants at home, saying: “They were very excited to grow them from seeds and now they’re as tall as them.”
In a visit yesterday to show support for businesses reopening near the couple’s Anmer Hall home on the Queen’s Sandringham estate, the Duke of Cambridge told bakery staff there had been an kitchen “explosion” at home.
William, who is 38 tomorrow, paid £4.15 for some pain au chocolat for the family at Smiths the Bakers in King’s Lynn.
The owners presented him with a vanilla sponge birthday cake with white icing, cream and jam.
It was decorated with the message: “Happy Birthday Prince William from all at Smiths the Bakers” piped in blue icing on the top, and included iced football boots, footballs and Union flags.
Paul Brandon, who runs the bakery with his wife Teresa, told William he had read that the prince turned his hand to baking during lockdown.
William replied: “I’ve done a little bit of baking. The children have been attacking the kitchen and it’s just been an explosion of flour and chocolate everywhere. Catherine’s been doing quite a bit of baking.”