During the coronavirus pandemic, Kate Middleton and Prince William continue to find ways to support their Royal work. The royal couple on Wednesday praised teachers for helping to provide for children in the midst of the crisis.
William and Kate made a special video call to a school in northern England where they educate and care for the children of critical workers — such as healthcare personnel and representatives of emergency services. It marks the first time via a video call the royal couple have conducted a whole royal engagement.
The couple sat side by side as they talked at Casterton Primary Academy in Burnley, Lancashire, with their staff and children.
“Well done, honestly, to you and everyone who’s in during this time. It must be such a relief for all the parents who are key workers to know that the normality is there for their children — they’ve got the structure and they’ve got a safe place for them to be, so really really well done to all of you,” Kate, 28, said.
William, 37, added, “We just want to say a huge thank you to you guys and well done in keeping it all going. Please pass on many messages of support for all the staff and all the volunteers — they’re doing a great job.”
The school is adjacent to Burnley General Hospital and a high proportion of the pupils have parents who work against the disease on the front lines.
During what should have been the Easter holiday break, it has remained open as a local center for the five schools that form the Pendle Education Trust in the region.
Some of the children took this opportunity to show their parents’ portraits of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and tell them how proud they were of them.