Kate Middleton extended her gratitude to the women health experts working for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. The Duchess of Cambridge sent a letter to the organization in April to commend the OBGYNs for their high-quality work amid the coronavirus pandemic.
"At this particularly anxious time, it is therefore more crucial than ever that we provide the right care for pregnant women and new mothers," the duchess' letter stated. "Care that supports women's emotional, as well as physical, health, to ensure that mothers prioritize their own mental wellbeing when they are under so much pressure."
According to People, the Duchess of Cambridge's letter release coincided with the Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week in the U.K. Incidentally, Kate is also a patron of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
As part of her patronage, Kate took part in a video conference and roundtable discussion about maternal health amid COVID-19. Kate discussed issues like isolation and maternal anxiety of pregnant and new mothers, which has prompted hospitals to take on new approaches while dealing with the virus.
Kate did the video roundtable discussion while she was celebrating her ninth wedding anniversary with Prince William in their country home in Norfolk. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been based in their country home since the middle of March to isolate from the coronavirus hotspot in London.
Meanwhile, on the same day as her wedding anniversary, Kate also paid a surprise virtual visit to new mothers. Kensington Palace shared some clips of the Duchess of Cambridge greeting unsuspecting new moms from the other end of the video camera.
Kate engaged the new moms and dads, who could not believe they were speaking to the royal, and congratulated them for their newborns. According to Town & Country, the duchess connected with new parents from the Kingston Hospital.
Apparently, Kate wanted to check in on the new mothers because she heard from frontliners about their feelings of anxiety and isolation amid the pandemic. Kensington Palace released a statement to urge moms and their families, as well as their care workers, to seek help if they are feeling any kind of anguish. They need assurances that they will be given the best care and support even as hospitals are busy with COVID-19 patients.
Meanwhile, this is just one of Kate's advocacy centering on mothers. Last year, she also shadowed OBGYNs for a few days as they made rounds, visited patients and consulted with pregnancy cases.
