A confident Duchess of Cambridge took on the role of interviewer in a heartwarming new video commemorating the centenary of the Royal British Legion.
Kate (39), was joined earlier this month by Second World War veteran Colonel David Blum OBE and 10-year-old Cub Scout Emily Edge at the Royal Hospital Chelsea to talk about the importance of Remembrance and their experiences with the Scouts.
The Duchess, elegant in a £749 Holland Cooper coat, chaired the wide-ranging conversation, which took in Colonel Blum’s memories of the war and saw the trio make poppies under Emily’s instruction. Kate joked at one point about Prince William’s Sandringham experience.
Today, the video was posted on YouTube by Kensington Palace.
Kate was joined at Royal Hospital Chelsea by Second World War veteran Colonel David Blum OBE 98 and ten year old Cub Scout Emily Edge to discuss the continuing importance Remembrance events and their respective experiences as Scouts.
Seated in a plush armchair on one side of the wood-panelled room, the Duchess of Cambridge embraced the role of interviewer and provided Emily and Colonel Blum with different conversational prompts throughout the eight-minute video
The Duchess of Cambridge was seated in a comfortable armchair at one end of the room’s wood panelled walls. She played the interviewer role and gave Emily and Colonel Blum different prompts to talk about throughout the eight minute video.
She opened by saying, “It was wonderful to meet you both.” It was wonderful to visit the Royal Hospital Chelsea and to speak about Remembrance during this centenary for the Royal British Legion.
“I was just trying to get to know a little more about your stories, and about each other.
Colonel Blum said: ‘I was a Pimlico boy and I got called up for the Army. In fact, I was called up to Aberdeen. After being selected, I was sent to Sandhurst for commissioning.
Kate joined the fray to say: ‘It was probably harder when my spouse did it than it was when I did it. But, I’ve heard lots about Sandhurst.
Colonel Blum agreed that it had its moments.
The Duchess invited Emily and Colonel Blum to talk about their experiences with Scouts. This discussion was filmed by Kensington Palace cameras
Emily, a ten-year-old girl from England told Emily the Duchess that she’s a Cub and hopes to be able to join the Scouts.
Colonel Blum said he was a Scout leader for many years before the conflict.
Emily shared how Scouts helped her to ‘bring up courage and confidence.
The Royal British Legion was founded in 1921 by Earl Haig. Scouts from all over the country are participating in commemorative activities.
The occasion has also been marked by the creation of a new Scouts’ Centenary Remembrance Badge, an initiative spearheaded by The Duchess, which can be awarded to all those who take a meaningful part in Remembrance – including completing activities such as poppy-making or taking part in a local service.
The Duchess and Emily spoke at length with Colonel Blum, Emily, and Emily to discuss the important role Remembrance played in our society for the past 100-years and what it means that we should continue to remember the sacrifices made during the war.
Col. Blum, who served in Italy during World War II, reflected upon the significance of Remembrance. Emily talked about her experiences with Scouts as part of wartime efforts, such as helping to evacuate young children from their homes and participating in firewatches and harvests. They also discussed the long-term impact of Colonel Blum’s own time in the Scouts, and the vital life skills and experiences that being a Scout can provide to young people, including building confidence, team-building skills and resilience.
Her Royal Highness presents Emily with her Remembrance Badge for all the actions she’s taken, which includes the creation and display of poppy displays for her local church.