Duchess shares insights into Royals’ family life
THE DUCHESS of Cambridge gave an insight into how her husband coped as a new father when she met a single dad at a care centre for expectant and new parents.
Kate met father Billy, 39, who is raising his seven-month-old daughter Violet alone, during a visit to Hornsey Road Children’s Centre in north London.
The Duchess, who is pregnant with her third child, described how William had felt he did not know what exactly to do when he first became a father.
Family Action, a charity of which the Queen is patron, is among the organisations providing services at the care facility, including vital care and mental health support for parents. Speaking after meeting Kate, Billy said: “She was saying William was sort of similar and I just wanted to let her know how Family Action have been there for me and I think they need more support.”
The London hub is used by parents to provide support ranging from company for parents to activities for children.
The Duchess had earlier met with mothers and their young children while they were at play, bonding with one over their sons’ shared love of aircraft.
Mother-of-two Michelle said her son Jacob, four, was fond of planes – while Prince George was a fan of helicopters. “She was asking about what Jacob liked and he said he liked aeroplanes and she was asking if he’d seen a Spitfire and we said we liked going to the Science Museum and RAF Museum. She was saying how George likes helicopters, she was saying about the top floor of the Science Museum where the helicopters are.”
Kate has, in the past, described her life as mother as a “rewarding and wonderful experience”, but admitted that it had been a “huge challenge” at times that has left her feeling a “lack of confidence”.
Meanwhile, guns thundered over York to mark Prince Charles’ 69th birthday. The 21-gun salute at York’s Museum Gardens was hosted by 4th Infantry Brigade and HQ North East.
The Band of The King’s Division, led by Major Stewart Halliday, performed a marching display through the city before the shots were fired at noon.
York is the only Saluting Station in the North of England, and was given the honour to commemorate the 1,900th anniversary of the city in 1971.
See Saturday’s The Yorkshire Post for a picture special marking the Queen and Prince Philip’s 70 years of marriage.
She was saying how George likes helicopters. Mother-of-two Michelle, who met the Duchess at a children’s centre.