One of the first things I’m going to do when I get old is “get really into Bingo.” Bingo is so much fun! I can’t wait. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge think Bingo is fun too, and that’s why they were keen to be the Bingo callers – via Zoom – for seniors at the Shire Hall Care in Cardiff. They thanked the care workers at the nursing home, which is part of the larger “Thank You Care Workers” movement in the UK. Then Kate and William used their Bingo ball machine to call out the balls for a round of Bingo. Question: did Will and Kate already have the ball machine in their home, were they sent a machine or did they order it themselves?
“Six and two, tickety boo” cracked me up. Did that kind of Bingo slang come naturally to the Keens?
In case you’re wondering about Kate’s fashion, she did a rewear for this video. This was the LK Bennett “Madison” dress she wore to the polo game last year. The same event where she mostly ignored Meghan and Archie. I also saw some people questioning the multitude of Kate’s dresses while she’s on lockdown at Anmer Hall. Personally, I think Kate has probably warehoused her clothes at a secondary location for a while, I can’t imagine that she keeps her entire wardrobe housed in closets in Anmer and Kensington Palace. So is she pulling looks out of a warehouse, or does she have some kind of on-site closet complex at Anmer?
Photos courtesy of Kensington Palace and Getty.
Is the British public waiting with bated breath for these Zoom calls or are they yawning like me?
These videos were cute at first now just seem like a way for the Keens to evade frontline work. Why didn’t Kate arrange a zoom fundraiser for her hospital patronage that just closed?
Right? I’m over them lol. This one was cuter than others, but still.
Weirdly I feel like Charles is doing much better with his quarantine work, but I guess he’s better at working overall, so it makes sense.
This was a better way to do zoom, but they still need to get their ass out of Anmer and do something more. The UK is starting to open up so there is no reason why they can’t go help at a food bank or some charity.
The second in line to the throne exposing himself and then potentially infecting the third in line? I’m sure the courtiers are rushing to make that happen.
@Becks1 – Here is what I find weird:
To me Charles seems more royal, aristocratic and majestic but yet connects very well with the “dudes on the streets” as shown on the documentary “Charles at 70” especially the part involving Dumfries House and the train journey through Scotland.
On the other hand William, who comes across as a below average rich-kid bloke, cannot seem to correct with “the man on the street” on any level as shown with making bad jokes about COVID-19.
@Bay – I agree. Charles is obviously very formal in many ways, and is one of the most privileged people on the planet, but when you see him at events and such, there seems to be some genuine about him and how he interacts with people (even when he makes inappropriate comments, I cant remember his exact line from last year about someone “not looking like they were from” a certain area?) You don’t have to be a huge Charles fan to pick up on that.
I have the same impression.
Is it possible he had a coach at some point of his life?
My theory after Diana’s death.
On the other hand he has never claimed “I am the normal middle class man” like Will. Probably Charles understands his role.
@Becks1 – I may be wrong but I think Charles learned many tricks-of-the-trade by studying both The Queen Mum and Diana.
Charles seems to be the type that would be willing to “study” to be the best he can be at his role.
That’s always been the story with Charles. His Welsh tutor finding him likeable is based in fact.
Charles was a sweet child and was horribly bullied by his father and at Gordonstoun. He was forced to prove himself over and over again. William was always more boisterous and was sent to Eton where they have maid service for their rooms. It was only a few years ago when he was skipping the Commonwealth Service and the BAFTAs.
@Bay It’s because Charles’ persona whatever you may think of him feels authentic. He comes across as a slightly odd if boring rich old man who mostly means well, which I feel is probably a pretty honest reflection of who he is. Everything about W&K feels put on, they want to be regular old Bill & Cathy from the PTA but also be glamorous socialite Will & Kate, and the above it all future monarchs at the same time. They try on too many personas at once & that always ends up with none of those personas feeling authentic. That’s how you end up with a man in his late 30s wearing a blazer on a skype call in his own home.
And that awkwardness is amplified 10 fold when you’re standing next to someone like Harry who always seems like he couldn’t not be who he is if he tried, even in moments when he has to be more staid, you can just feel his Harryness bubbling beneath the surface. The Cambridges need to pick a lane & stay in it, but they are too busy chasing momentary popularity & press to realize that consistency would benefit their public personas in the longer term.
@starryfish that’s a really good point. Charles is Charles. He’s not perfect, but he doesn’t try to be anything other than a super privileged and somewhat quirky white man who, at this point, seems fairly happy with the role he has carved out for himself as PoW. Charles enjoys his wealth and doesn’t really apologize for it.
William and Kate on the other hand are kind of all over the place and so it never really feels like we see their authentic selves. (and none of that has to do with privacy etc, Charles is pretty private IMO.)
I am sure the older persons in Cardiff really loved it (and the staff, too).
I don’t anyone is that fussed in the UK to be honest; but I’m liking the fact they are keeping on going with zoom calls. I haven’t really kept updated on their chats, but they seem more intimate and engaging than the usual ribbon cutting/ handshaking events.
One of the things that is interesting about the zoom calls is actually hearing them talk to people. So often on their visits you just seem them shaking hands and the photo op type of stuff with some quotes so its interesting to hear what they say to people.
@Becks1: Sometimes when I see them on the walkabout I imagine that they are literally talking giberrish and just pretending to speak and the audience are in on it.
I don’t think anyone should be doing frontline work unless they are absolutely needed (and those people should be paid and protected as well as possible.) The Cambridges have no special skills to offer, so they ought to stay well away. Why take the risk that they might spread the virus to others?
Instead, they should be on the phone with their rich friends and bootlickers, cajoling them into donating money for frontline workers, food banks, crisis centers, etc. They have access to the people who have money who could ease the suffering of so many of their “subjects”.
Wow. Copying Matthew McConaughey. How Hollywood!
But it is very cute. The video is pretty adorable.
After the pandemic, they can keep doing it. Cuts down on the time away from the kids excuse to not work.
Is it odd that they haven’t helped out with food efforts or rather released photographs? They did for Charlotte and Sophie has done as well.
Molly, I just did the biggest spit take!! Copying McConoughey!! I guess that makes them all Hollywood tacky according to the RR, right? Oh wait……..
Snark aside, it’s a really nice thing to do. I was glad to see MM do this and I’m glad to see the Cambs do this as well.
A bit tired/bored of these Zoom calls but this was a nice way to mix it up a bit. I’m sure these seniors appreciated especially as a lot of elderly are royalists so seeing their royals call out the numbers for an activity they like to do must have been a great thing for them.
Hopefully they’ll do similar things like this ie not just keep talking to people but doing fun things like this
It was a nice thing to do and it certainly played to their target audience.
Lol
This! The zoom calls can seem lame, but I do think it works well with their target audience; older generations, more conservative/ traditional/ royalists.
I’m personally impressed that they’ve kept it going; I assumed they would have gone into hiding much sooner.
It’s a cute idea, but I will never understand how they are so terrible at appearing even remotely like normal modern adults when it’s appropriate. Who on earth would sit down to “play” bingo via skype while wearing a sportscoat? You’re in your home, just wear a freaking sweater like a normal person. It’s like they can’t quite keep their inner robotic personalities from showing through, they are the royal version of Mitt Romney.
Have we ever seen William in a polo shirt or tshirt (other than when he is actually playing polo?) I just feel like he takes some aspect of being king way too seriously (button down shirt with jacket or sweater at all times) and other aspects (i.e. working) a lot less seriously.
I suspect their awkwardness stems, in part, from the intensity of the spotlight they’re under. Self-consciousness breeds awkwardness, in my experience.
I think they both like the attention. But neither learned the skills like good speech or relating to people.
Agreed @Tessa. They like the attention (and the reverence), but they don’t like having to deal with masses on a direct and personal level. They’re usually extremely awkward when they do so.
The Penis With Teeth actually looks quite happy today, nice one. 👍
Zoom calls have been a godsend for the Cambridges. Maximum PR and goodwill for very little effort. I wonder what they’ll do once this is all over.
They will continue copying Harry & Meghan.
BINGO is super fun. I played every week as a kid with my great grandmother. Now the reservation where my family lives has high stakes bingo and it’s not as fun. It costs too much and the halls are huge. I’d rather sit in a church hall playing for $5.
I could think of a thousand other things the Cambridges could be doing.
Since they are not doing events why not auction off clothes for charity?
Apparently quite a few are going bust (as with many charities). Some RRs have mentioned them, but not slanting it as a criticism of the Cambridges.
As if they would auction anything!
I’m sure there would be a huge market for the hats alone!
I’m sure the care staff appreciated this, but these Zoom calls are getting a little tedious to the point where I’m more intrigued by the current rumor going around that Will and Kate are either expecting their fourth child or have decided to try for a fourth child and are trying to work out how best to announce in light of the pandemic. Search “Billy And Katy Announcement”…
I also agree that photos from the polo match when Kate last wore this dress didn’t appear to show much interaction between her and Meghan and her newborn. Louis however was so cute and playful towards Meghan and Archie. He and Archie seem like very lively babies. It’s a shame they likely won’t grow up together.
That speculation started about five minutes after Lou was born.
It would be perfect timing really, the old we didn’t plan this but cooped up at home we were passing the time swinging from the rafters. Oops.
Kate did look a little barfy during that one Zoom. I wouldn’t put it past them to hide behind Baby #4 if they think some bad press is coming their way.
Given what Penis With Teeth said about the need for African nations to lower their birthrate, I think they’ll need to keep prospective Baby No.4 (if Keen is enceinte) as low-key as possible. Additionally, the British public is already aggrieved by the amount of money used to keep the ‘benefit scroungers’ comfortable. Add another royal kid during a Depression and watch the calls for a Republic mount…
Maybe they will have a daughter who looks MIddleton but everybody says she looks just like a Little Queen Elizabeth II, even when she is still in her receiving blanket.
I thought it was a little cheesy, I couldn’t watch without cringing, but the oldies seem to be enjoying themselves. It’s funny because of these zoom calls, this is the most we’ve even seen them talk, usually at engagements you can see engaging in conversations from afar.
As for rewearing that dress, she knows she’ll be praised to the heavens for recycling an item of clothing, but she’s also aware that the press will post a throwback to when she first wore it. Reminding people of how she snubbed Meghan at the polo. We know these things are carefully thought out, so I wonder why she would want to remind people about that moment, when she looked petty af?
Louis was the only decent one wanting to play with his cousin Archie. The others stayed away including Kate.
Louis wasn’t old enough yet to be trained to blank Archie.
@Tessa
I hope you are not insinuating that George and Charlotte were indecent? That would be a horrible thing to say about children.
It’s obvious that she’s implying that the older kids were already influenced by their parents. Stop looking for attacks on the kids because no one is doing that here. Camb stans would love to level attacks on others implying that they criticize the kids. They don’t. Just the lazy parents.
@Nic919
That’s the point, no one should be implying anything about children, particularly children who you are not acquainted with personally. That’s just inappropriate behavior. Attack the parents all you want be leave children alone.
I know it’s just a paused moment in the photo, but that top shot of Kate just sums her up–looking so confused and vacant and like she is doing brain surgery when they are doing something so simple and light. I want so badly to tell her to just relax!
Bingo is really fun& sure the residents enjoyed it. One threw some shade as only elders can lol.
I’m so over this zoom calls they call work , cant they go out and do what the board of wessex does every other week or what they made their daughter did on her birthday? This zoom calls were ok for the first few times but this is getting old and ridiculous. It has become so useless and boring even their fans and cheerleaders are tired of it
They should grab some masks and go out to help at a food bank or donate books and toys to kids who are out of school but disadvantaged – for real. What bad optics to be sitting in their country pile when they could be leading the charge to help those who are suffering right now. What would they be doing without zoom ?
Bingo Chrissy!
Was this counted in the Court Circular as ‘work’?
The fact that calling Bingo numbers is going to count as an engagement is sad. And all of Sophie’s work isn’t counted.
Why isn’t Sophie’s work counted? That doesn’t seem quite right….
Richard Palmer confirmed that the royals were only expected to work virtually and that Sophie’s attendances at food banks were going to be done “in her spare time” and not included in the Court Circular.
They did that to harry too, they used to discount his work with invictus and other work too, just so team willieleaks doesn’t look bad. But they did count kate being papped at an airport on the CC. It’s truly shocking.
Why don’t they read the letters along with the numbers? Is that just how they do it over there, or do these two not know the game of bingo?
@mumbles, that was my question too. Maybe they don’t play the same form of BINGO! as we do? Maybe theirs involves just numbers and not letters?
Regardless, I found this video sweet and charming. I know it was intended to evoke these feelings and I have been manipulated by the Royal machine.
At bingo in the U.S. they do not just call numbers, at least where I have been. Definitely not at drag bingo but also st ladies club charity bingo they have names for the bingo numbers. Don’t have to wait to go to bingo fod when you are older, in my summer break I have been twice and won $100 each time.
Yeah, haven’t they played bingo before? The letters at the top of the columns spell ‘bingo’, that’s sort of the whole point. Let’s you know in which column to find the number.
Seriously. It’s not like 21 is found under B, or 12 suddenly shows up under G. Are we complaining that other cultures play bingo differently?
Yes it is possible for the same numbers to be present under different letters – there can be a B21 and G21 that’s why you need to know the letters. Which is also why the above posters were wondering if it’s played differently there given that they only called out the numbers. The letters + number combo is also what I learned and played, so I do wonder if there is a version where you only need to call the numbers to fill the card
Then clearly Bingo is played differently depending where you are, which was exact My point.
A standard bingo board numbers 1-15 are under B
16-30 under I
31-45 N
And so forth……I’ve never seen the same number under two letters.
My point remains, it’s a strange criticism,
This is a great way for them to get involved in a way that is actually helpful and not all about themselves. I’m fine if they stay sheltered in place, I think this is way more effective. Whatever they are paying this new PR guy, double it!
As a keen gardener, frequent visitor of the Chelsea Flower Show and advocate for the benefits of children spending more time outside, Kate could share photos of herself, William and the children planting flowers in their garden and host an online competition for UK residents to send in beautiful photos of their gardens, especially as most are spending a lot of time in their gardens during this pandemic.
As an Art History graduate and patron of East Anglia Children’s Hospice, Kate could collaborate with the charity to host a competition for children to send in their artwork, as a lot of young kids are drawing and painting to entertain themselves during the lockdown. These pieces of art could then be sent to staff and children who are currently in hospitals and other facilities receiving care and treatment, to lift their spirits and encourage donations to the hospice.
As a keen cook and patron of Nursing Now, Kate could be making homemade meals everyday and having them delivered to hospital and care home staff and directing the public to any charities that are delivering food to workers where they can either donate or volunteer safely. She could film herself cooking some of her favourite dishes with her family to promote.
As a passionate mental health advocate and co-founder of Heads Together, Kate could be using her time in lockdown to promote different resources for people experiencing anxiety during this pandemic, sharing advice from official organisations and putting the spotlight on mental health care providers and the challenges and work they are doing during this uncertain time.
As an anti-addiction advocate and patron of Action On Addiction, Kate could be sharing resources to help those struggling with addiction and sobriety during this pandemic, highlight the work of addiction charities and encourage people to donate.
As a keen sportswoman and patron of the Lawn Tennis Association and Sports Aid, Kate could share a video of her and William or George and Charlotte playing a competitive game of tennis and encourage people to share videos/photos/stories of how they are keeping active through sports during the lockdown to stay fit and improve their mental health.
As a fashion icon, Kate could host an online auction of some of her clothing to raise money for her various causes and encourage others to donate theirs.
If she doesn’t want to physically leave her house, there are plenty of things, other than Zoom calls, that she could be doing instead.
These ideas are all lovely but they also assume that 1) she cares and 2) she wants to do something beyond sunbathe in the garden…
@Pearl Grey, I agree completely! But, as I’ve always said, the Cambridges lack the creativity needed for their roles. For all the banging on about how “modern” they are, they are quite content to follow the Queen’s pattern of showing up to an event, shaking hands, looking around, making very small talk, accept a posie of flowers and be on their way, all in about 45 minutes.
Well done Pearl Grey!!
To Kate these zoom calls are cheap and easy and will bump up her numbers in the CC. I agree she could do so much if she actually put some thought into it, but putting thought into anything is beyond her capabilities. All that matters is that she does the absolute bare minimum whilst receiving the most praise. And unfortunately the bar is set so low for her that a few video calls is an achievement for her.
I suggested ages ago that Keen do an instructional video with her children on teaching young children the proper way to wash their hands.
The problem is, all of those things require far more effort than Kate or William are willing to put in.
I’m laughing so hard at this. These are all great ideas. They will never do them.
You provided great ideas and spent far more time thinking about how to help others than they ever will. Almost ten years and the bare minimum is all they will do because they get praised for it and that’s all they care about.
Can you not see a video with George explaining to Kate to use two squirts of soap, do not just rub your hands together you must rub and scrub each finger plus both your thumbs (sings the “where is thumber” song as he scrubs his thumbs) then you use a paper towel to dry so you don’t spread germs via a cloth towel or whatever. Then he adds a “do not touch the doggie unless you are wearing gloves”. This type of video would go viral.
@pearl grey if one of your ideas comes to fruition then we know that KP reads celebitchy. I hope it does.
These are wonderful ideas, Pearl Grey – I hope the Cambridges (and honestly, many people with influence and status) will take your advice to heart.
I like that Kate looks awful in that hairstyle and William is very unattractive.
He looks like a rabbit with those teeth. Both look awful. Kate has a hairdresser around and a stylist.
Behave like adults. Go to work. 🙂 Insufferable elitist grifters.
Ugh right??
Have Meghan and Harry been seen since the couple of food delivery pap shots? They’re all useless grifters and the Cambridges the worst of the lot. Off with their heads honestly.
Yes. In that cute children’s charity awareness video jennifer gardner praised.
Also, the food delivery was never meant to be seen. It was under the radar work that someone found and sold. Possibly for profit. They could be doing loads of work and no one has caught them to sell to the papers yet.
Since they’re not on tax dollars does it even matter how much charity work they do?
Harry and Meghan work for themselves. What they do no longer has anything to do with this nor do they have to perform “working” like the other royals, who still have these duties, however inane, to carry out. I’m not fond of the royals, especially the Cambs, in general, but to call them grifters is kind of iffy. The Brits signed up for, or at least tolerates this social contract they made regarding the royals, and except for Harry and Meghan only, seem quite fine with the status quo. They were quite willing to have the Brexit referendum but there doesn’t seem to be the same energy regarding the royals and how much money they get from the public purse ( except for the Sussexes of course because they are all that is wrong with the universe according to royalists). They seem satisfied that these cruise director appearances is enough for the public and accept, and even praise it. The Sussexes have removed themselves from this narrative as they are not working royals and no longer reside in the UK.
New respect for the Countess of Wessex as she appears to be doing all the work she can do and getting very little credit.
However, nothing tops Princess Sofia, Duchess of Värmland who actually got a medical aide’s certification then actually went to work in hospital doing whatever she was asked to do. I always thought the Duchess of Värmland was on the silly and airhead side of the spectrum but my opinion has completely changed.
I feel sorry for Edward.
Hmm, I see their new social media person has been taking tips from Matthew McConaughey.
I was kinda bothered by the fact that WilliLeaks kept asking for validation from the players but loved the shade from one lady. It was a bit too much as he’d said it more than once.
Kate seemed to be quite into it. Bingo is the kinds of game that young kids love.
Cringed so hard I’m now inside-out.
Also I see grime under her fingernail.
Lets start with the fact that they DON’T know how to call BINGO. Will and Kate just called out numbers. You must start with the letter followed by the number i.e O 67 not just blurt out the number 67. One of the residents of the facility basically said they did a terrible job…LOL! On another note they should really spend their time in other areas and stop making up things to do. I can give them a list of things they can focus on for their charities but lets face it Will and Kate DON’T WANT TO WORK…..they just want to PRETEND TO WORK
There are no letters in UK style Bingo
thats not how you do it in the Uk and Ireland. no letters.
William is definitely getting some kind of hair treatment.
Little bit of distraction by putting out a story claiming it was Harry.
They could be doing so much more, either through fundraising or arranging food drives, anything other than a tedious zoom call. Sure its a nice thing to do, but for being the future monarch it’s pretty lazy. They should be taking a page out of the Sussex’s book.
The zoom publicity stunts continues! Whilst sophie,Beatrice and Eugenie are out volunteering & delivering supplies these two are sticking to doing bare minimum🤦♀️
Sophie is actually in the high risk age group and has young children but these two younger +presumably healthy people are sitting around in their castles making one call every other week that would then be lodged in as “work” (whilst sophie’s volunteering is left out from the CC).
@Pearl Grey, your suggestions will be copied by KP and claim that it was the Cambridges and their PR’s ideas. You should receive some compensation should your ideas are stolen.
No matter how much Sophie Wessex work her ass off in the midst of the pandemic, William and Kate are not threatened. They know Sophie, although perhaps sincere in trying to help, is not a magnet of public adulation. If it were the Sussexes doing this, the Cambridges would have been forced to get out of Anmer in no time and wrestle back the spotlight from the Sussexes. Only the Sussexes can make these two work their butts off and get them to face the public in this time of Covid.
They look good here.
I’ll bet the seniors loved it!
Can we quit with the rage about not calling out the letters?
I’ve never played Bingo using letters in my life, not at home or in the Bingo halls my grandma took us to and I went to when I lived in a small town where that was the big night out.
I’m not a fan of Bill and Cathy but can we all stop being apoplectic about something that isn’t actually a failure please.
@cj
Please calm down, I have been a Bingo player all my life and they always announce the letter. I agree it’s no big deal, no need to go postal.
Number 10, Maggie’s Den!
#datingmyself