Prince William and Kate Middleton have been carrying out their royal engagements via video calls since the coronavirus lockdown. Now, nearly 12 weeks after staying put in Anmer Hall, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are, reportedly, eager to resume with their actual in-person royal engagements.
According to a royal source, Prince William and Kate are hoping to be able to get out and be with the public again. However, some issues will need to be ironed out first if the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge return to their face-to-face meetings.
One of the biggest problems faced by Prince William and Kate's people is in trying to organize a royal engagement that did not have any crowds or that wouldn't risk the police's health in the frontlines. The source said that the royals are finding ways on how to enforce physical distancing and the government's orders against the spread of the disease yet still be able to have face-to-face engagements and talk to a lot of people.
Before the coronavirus lockdown, Prince William, Kate and the rest of the royal family were advised to hold off shaking hands to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. They also had to use hand sanitizers, which Prince William didn't seem to find comfortable.
A lip reader said that Prince William found the new protocols "weird", especially when he had to tell other people at one royal engagement that they cannot shake hands. He was also overheard telling his wife that they have to use hand gel later.
Meanwhile, as Prince William and Kate remain at home and follow the government guidelines against coronavirus, the future king is taking an active part as a volunteer for the mental health platform Shout 85258. Prince William revealed that, since the lockdown, he's been answering text messages sent into Shout by people with mental health issues. He's had training to help people sort out their problems or simply listen to people who need someone to talk to.
According to The Guardian, Kensington Palace was initially reluctant to release the information that Prince William has been volunteering as a mental health counselor. They didn't want the Shout service to be overloaded by individuals hoping to discuss their problems with the future king.
Prince William and Kate are big advocates for mental health. They have established Shout over a year ago under their Royal Foundation.
