The lockdown in the United Kingdom is gradually easing, so there are reports that some members of the royal family are now thinking how to return to their public duties. A royal expert revealed Prince William and Kate Middleton may take a leaf from Princess Diana during the AIDS epidemic to insert some normality amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The younger royal households like that of Prince William and Kate Middleton and Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, are now analyzing how they can continue their public engagements. According to Daily Mail, it will be in line with the government's guidance and a lot of care so that it will not put a strain on resources.
Nigel Cawthorne, the author of Prince Andrew: Epstein and the Palace, told FEMAIL the Cambridges might follow their mother's approach during the AIDS epidemic. As a lot of people at the time mistakenly thought that handshakes could transmit the disease, Princess Diana broke the stigma by shaking an AIDS victim's hand and spread comfort.
He firmly believed that the Duke of Cambridge and even Prince Harry would do the same to show everyday life could return to normal despite the coronavirus outbreak. However, they would still apply the "safety rules on transmission further to the latest guidance."
Frequent hand washing will still be followed, along with mask-wearing, especially when coughing and sneezing, or exercising, singing or joining a large gathering. The younger members of the royal family, unless heavy with a child, are not part of the "at-risk" demographic.
So they may continue their royal duties in public. Cawthorne added that although the coronavirus has changed how people live, it will not limit everyone's hopes for the future.
Prince William and Kate Middleton continue to do their royal duties remotely. They hold their engagements virtually through a video call. They are also, reportedly, homeschooling their kids, Prince George, 6, Princess Charlotte, 5, and Prince Louis, 1.
Although the lockdown in the U.K. will further ease next week, as the non-essential retailers set to open, there are no plans yet for the royal family to step out in public. As some European kings and queens continue their physical engagements after lifting their countries' lockdown, the British royal households still operate at home.
Recently, Prince William and Kate Middleton visited Clouds House, a rehab center in Wiltshire, virtually. The future king and queen consort checked how they continued their goal to save lives amid the COVID-19 pandemic. They also continue to counseling people in secret by contacting the crisis helpline, Shout 85258.
