Kate’s face mask hides her tears as babies’ lockdown stories make her weep

Kate said she wept after her trip to a Sheffield “baby bank” – a charity which provides nappies and other essential items to mothers in need.

“It can get very emotional,” said Kate, who wore a mask for the first time at a Royal event.

She helped unpack clothes, toys and other donations during her visit to Baby Basics on Sheffield’s Glossop Road, having also visited another branch of the charity at King’s Lynn in Norfolk. As well as meeting staff, she chatted to parents about the way the centres had provided them with invaluable support when they needed it most.

The Duchess has been spearheading a donation drive which has seen shops like John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s and Tesco give more than 10,000 new goods to baby banks across the country.

She said: “I remember a couple of the families I met from King’s Lynn and I went home and literally burst into tears, their stories were so moving – the struggles they have gone through, the bravery they have shown ... in extraordinary circumstances.”

Baby banks have proved to be a lifeline for many parents during the coronavirus crisis, but have found their services under increasing pressure due to demand and because they cannot accept second hand donations. The Sheffield branch of Baby Basics said it was supporting some 450 families during the quarantine period. The charity, which was set up in 2009 as a response to the growing need for practical help for new mothers unable to afford the essentials necessary to look after their newborns, also has branches in Barnsley, Bradford, Leeds

Its chief executive, Cat Ross, said at the time: “These are vulnerable families who would normally just about manage to buy clothing for their children from charity shops. But the charity shops are now shut, so they’re really struggling.

Ms Ross told the Duchess: “Often in a world where there is a lot of judgment and stereotyping about being poor, that additional stress can be even more difficult for parents who are doing amazing things to keep their families going with such strength, such determination.”

Kate replied: “Yes, one of the mums I met was a nurse. These are families who do fantastic jobs and even they are struggling.

“All of the research shows how vital things like this are for them and that they are being recognised.”

The Duchess talked at length about the future impact of Covid-19, particularly for children. “It’s difficult for sure but there is a lot of fear (and) worry about when furlough ends and what it means for families,” said Ms Ross.

“But one of the positives to come out of it is the strength of communities across the UK and people wanting to help, volunteering and wanting to provide for each other.

“Organisations like us want to harvest that and it keep it going as much as possible.”

At the height of the lockdown, Kate’s children were seen joining in with the weekly applause for carers and delivering food to the vulnerable on the Queen’s Sandringham estate.

The Duchess said: “It’s been wonderful during lockdown, hasn’t it? About the way everyone has been busy knitting away, and actually it is those small volunteering acts that everyone can contribute to, that make such a difference.

“That inter-generational support system has been amazing. Knowing that you can make such a big difference to another family is wonderful.”

Kate’s use of a face mask was a further demonstration of the monarchy’s adherence to the coronavirus guidelines. The Duchess of Cornwall recently wore a face covering during a visit to the National Gallery in London, and the Prince of Wales has joked about being given tartan masks.

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