Kate Middleton was ‘shy’ on early virtual engagements but has now ‘really come into her own’

Kate Middleton was ‘a little bit shy’ on early virtual engagements but has now ‘really come into her own’ on Zoom calls, a royal expert has revealed.

The Duchess of Cambridge, 38,  and Prince William, 38, have spent lockdown at their Norfolk home of Anmer Hall with children Prince George, six, Princess Charlotte, five, and Prince Louis, two.

The royals started conducting engagements online and sharing video messages in April, with royal expert Omid Scobie saying the Duchess was initially a little unsure of the virtual practice.

He told the Heirpod podcast that Kate had become ‘quite a pro at Zoom’, explaining: ‘What started out as, perhaps, a little bit of shyness on these calls, she’s really come into her own.’  

Kate Middleton, 38, was ‘a little bit shy’ on early virtual engagements but has now ‘really come into her own’, royal expert Omid Scobie has revealed (pictured, the Duchess during a call with London school children on Friday)

Discussing her latest virtual visit to discuss tennis tips and lockdown stories with pupils from Bond Primary School in Mitcham, south London, Omid added: ‘It always helps when she is doing an engagement with children.’ 

Prince William and Kate have since been at the forefront of the Royal Family’s response to the global crisis. 

They have continued to operate behind closed doors, conducting virtual engagements via video call, while homeschooling their three children.

And with lockdown restrictions easing, the duo have slowly returned to public engagements – with Kate taking a trip to family-run Fakenham Garden Centre mid-June.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been conducting engagements virtually since April (pictured, speaking with BBC Breakfast during lockdown)

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been conducting engagements virtually since April (pictured, speaking with BBC Breakfast during lockdown) 

She helped to pot plants and herbs during a visit to The Nook in Framlingham Earl, Norfolk – one of the three East Anglia Children’s Hospices – a week later. 

Most recently, the pair visited Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn as part of the NHS birthday celebrations on July 5 in Norfolk.

The comments come days after royal commentator Duncan Larcombe suggested Prince Harry, 35, and Meghan Markle‘s decision to step back as senior royals may give Prince William and Kate ‘space to focus on the job they’ve got to do.’ 

Speaking to True Royalty Tv, Duncan said: ‘Despite all the noise around Harry and Meghan, the reality is William and Kate have got a pretty important job to do.

The royal expert said the Duchess had become 'quite the pro' at Zoom calls, days after she joined Sir Andy Murray, 33, to speak with children from London. Pictured, Kate on the video call

The royal expert said the Duchess had become ‘quite the pro’ at Zoom calls, days after she joined Sir Andy Murray, 33, to speak with children from London. Pictured, Kate on the video call 

‘This is giving them space, and to some extent the Prince Andrew ongoing Epstein saga, it is giving William and Kate the space to focus on the job they’ve got to do.

‘And I think at the moment, they are doing very well.’

On Friday, the Duchess, wearing a £665 dress printed with tennis players, surprised children with Sir Andy as a special guest, interrupting her virtual royal visit to introduce the tennis player. 

Sir Andy, who shares three children with wife Kim Sears, admitted he has found home schooling ‘difficult’ and said it has been a challenge to find creative activities to keep the family entertained.  

The Duchess briefly turned interviewer, asking father of two Sir Andy about his lockdown experience and whether he had kept up with training.

The Duchess surprised the children with Sir Andy as a special guest, interrupting her virtual royal visit to disclose that she had someone waiting on the line. Pictured, on the call

The Duchess surprised the children with Sir Andy as a special guest, interrupting her virtual royal visit to disclose that she had someone waiting on the line. Pictured, on the call 

Saying he found the first five or six week manageable, he admitted he had ‘started to find it probably a bit harder to find things to do for the kids, to stay creative with ideas and games for them to enjoy. 

The Duchess told him: ‘There’s lots of budding tennis players here at Bond Primary School as well. Have you guys got any questions you want to ask Andy?’

‘And Andy, have you got any tips for these guys if they want to take up tennis a bit more professionally?’ asked Kate.

‘The most important thing is to have fun,’ said Sir Andy. ‘If you’re enjoying it, you get more out of your lessons and your practising. Listen to your coach, that’s very important. That’s the two most important things at your age.’