The Duchess of Cambridge Surprises New Parents in Sweet Video Call

In the U.K., this week is Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, and, in honor of it, the Duchess of Cambridge surprised two new parents in a video call.

Rebecca and John recently welcomed their new son, Max, at Kingston Hospital near London. The Duchess, who had spent time shadowing at the hospital for a couple of days last year, called the parents to congratulate them.

“Very nice to meet you. This is definitely a first. Well, firstly, huge congratulations. Is it a little boy or a little girl?” she said, adding, “He’s so sweet. Congratulations!”

“Having a baby is an extraordinary experience at any time, but having one during lockdown and then having a surprise conversation with the Duchess of Cambridge after two hours sleep was particularly surreal,” Rebecca told People in an interview. “The Duchess asked us about having a baby at such an unusual time, and our experience on the maternity ward was that all the midwives made it as normal as possible–apart from the masks, it was exactly the same as when we had our first son, Rafe, in 2015. The midwives were amazing on both occasions.”

In the call, Catherine also spoke to midwives and maternity experts to learn more about their experiences. “Are you very aware of a difference, or a shift in a mother’s emotional and mental wellbeing in comparison to before the pandemic?” she asked.

She was told that there has been an uptick in anxiety, even in women with no previous mental health histories. She then asked if the staff members felt that mothers knew where to get support for their emotional and wellbeing during this time and was told that midwives have done a great job of explaining all the resources available to new moms.

The former Kate Middleton also praised the staff in the call, for working through this tough time. “Babies come all the time so that fact that you’re having to work in these difficult times, so well done.”

Prince William, Catherine and their three children have been quarantining at their house at Amner Hall in Norfolk. They’ve been reaching out to help offer support and raise morale however they can, and last month even posted a video of their kids applauding healthcare workers.

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