Advertisement

Duchess of Cambridge praises new mums for supporting each other during lockdown

The Duchess of Cambridge has praised new mums for supporting each other during lockdown, saying it would be so important for their “emotional well-being”.

Kate, 38, held a socially distanced catch-up with mothers and their babies in London’s Battersea Park on Tuesday morning.

She wore pink trousers and a white top, with Superga trainers, and held her sunglasses throughout the meeting.

The visit came after the duchess had held a video call with ‘early years’ experts from eight organisations, including Leeds Dads and the National Childbirth Trust (NCT).

She discussed their work helping parents with young children and told them: “A huge well done to all of you, I know there’s a big team of you out there in communities across the country.

“Both William and I hear about how vital these relationships are to families – they’re a real lifeline.

“So to you and your army of volunteers out there, a huge well done.

“I, like you, would love to see peer-to-peer support more embedded and celebrated in communities and society as a whole.”

Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, reacts as she meets with parents and children, and peer supporters, in Battersea Park, London on September 22, 2020, where she learned more about the benefits of parent-to-parent support. (Photo by Jack Hill / POOL / AFP) (Photo by JACK HILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Kate held a socially distanced chat with some new mums. (AFP)
Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, reacts as she meets with Morgan Alex Cassius and her six-month-old daughter, Makena Grace, in Battersea Park, London on September 22, 2020, where she learned more about the benefits of parent-to-parent support. (Photo by Jack Hill / POOL / AFP) (Photo by JACK HILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
She met Morgan Alex Cassius and her six-month-old daughter, Makena Grace, in Battersea Park. (AFP)
Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, reacts as she meets with parents and children, and peer supporters, in Battersea Park, London on September 22, 2020, where she learned more about the benefits of parent-to-parent support. (Photo by Jack Hill / POOL / AFP) (Photo by JACK HILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Kate looked delighted to meet the lockdown babies. (AFP)

Read more: Prince William says George, Charlotte and Louis spur on his wildlife conservation work

At the Old English Garden in Battersea Park, Kate was told how peer groups struggled to meet up in person during lockdown and so kept up their work over video and phone calls.

She met mothers Nalini Sadai and Jessie Brett who provide support at the NCT.

The duchess said: “It’s good being able to listen and being listened (to) while being off guard.

“It is so important for your emotional well-being.

“With your experiences it’s so important that you’ve been through it.

“Without what you are providing, that form of relationship, you can feel so isolated.

“You should be very proud.”

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 22: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge hears from families and key organisations about the ways in which peer support can help boost parent wellbeing while spending the day learning about the importance of parent-powered initiatives, in Battersea Park on September 22, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Jack Hill - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Kate met Peter Grigg, the chief executive of Home Start. (Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 22: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge meets with MUSH mother and baby group member, Morgan Alex Cassius and her 6 month old, Makena Grace as she hears from families and key organisations about the ways in which peer support can help boost parent wellbeing while spending the day learning about the importance of parent-powered initiatives, in Battersea Park on September 22, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Jack Hill - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Kate plays from a distance with 6 month old, Makena Grace, daughter of MUSH mother and baby group member, Morgan Alex Cassius. (Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 22: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge hears from families and key organisations about the ways in which peer support can help boost parent wellbeing while spending the day learning about the importance of parent-powered initiatives, in Battersea Park on September 22, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Jack Hill - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
The duchess wore pink trousers, a white top and had her sunglasses with her on the visit. (Getty Images)

Read more: William and Kate have relatable problem as they try to have a conversation through their masks on royal visit

Early years work has been an important focus for the duchess during her royal life, and she backed the BBC’s Tiny Happy People initiative in July, following months of behind the scenes work.

The resources the duchess is endorsing include activities, play ideas and videos aimed at parents of 0-4 year olds to help develop communication and language skills, and she called them “gold dust” for new parents.