Duchess Kate & William made a surprise second trip to the SOS Children’s Village

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge flew out of Pakistan last Friday after a hectic final 24 hours in the country. On Thursday night, they were supposed to fly back to Islamabad, but their plane encountered a terrifying electrical storm and long story short, they couldn’t land in Islamabad and the British embassy had to arrange for emergency hotel rooms for more than 100 people (security, royals and press). On Friday, they were finally able to fly out of Lahore.

Once they arrived back in the UK, the Cambridges released some new information: while they were stuck in Lahore Friday morning, they ended up returning to the SOS Children’s Village they had visited previously. Apparently, Kate insisted they go again, because she wanted to better understand how the SOS Children’s Village operates, and because she wanted to spend more time with the kids and the adults there. She felt so strongly about it, she devoted her “first Instagram” to highlighting the work done there – this is the first time Kate has written her own Instagram caption, in an IG post full of photos from their second visit (taken by their official tour photographer). It was a smart move on every level, and I even buy that Kate felt very strongly about it and argued that they should go back.

The Cambridges also posted a behind-the-scenes video from their trip. They’re really getting better at being more engaging on social media. It’s funny how they got so much better at it once you-know-who came around.

Embed from Getty Images

Embed from Getty Images

Photos courtesy of Getty, Instagram.

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51 Responses to “Duchess Kate & William made a surprise second trip to the SOS Children’s Village”

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  1. Maria says:

    This tour was great and would have made me like them, except for their budget airplane stunt and also William completely ignoring Kate 3/4 of the time…

    • Keekee says:

      I keep saying this he looks uncomfortable when she speaks like she needs to just be quiet and look pretty, blinks erratically.

      • Maria says:

        I do not buy that they have a great marriage, at all. Every time he’s ever interacted with her it’s cold and unemotional and most of the time he doesn’t even look at her.

    • swirlmamad says:

      I said this too in a previous comment. Seeing Harry and Meghan’s dynamic in action makes it all the more glaringly clear how little warmth and emotion Will actually shows towards Kate. Yes, not everyone is comfortable showing emotion or wearing their heart on their sleeve (my husband is like this), but you still can sense how in sync a couple is emotionally on a more subtle level. For example, even though he’s a naturally reserved guy, my husband won’t hesitate to take my hand when we’re walking in public, or put his arm around the back of my chair or shoulders or, I don’t know, actually LOOK at me when we’re talking to each other/next to each other. W & K just have such a “business as usual” air about them all the time.

      • sue denim says:

        Harry is so respectful and protective of Meghan, and I don’t get that from William toward Kate at all, I remember her coming down stairs w her first newborn and he just didn’t seem really there for her even then. Who knows…just an impression, but he doesn’t seem to be aging well… Kate on the other hand may be coming into her own more? I think since having her third she’s seemed happier, more at peace. And as many here point out — prob competition w Meghan, but at least it’s raising her game…

      • Nahema says:

        While I’m not here to defend William & Kate because much of their actions recently have been inexcusable, I don’t think we KNOW anything at all about their relationship. A lot of Brits are cold and distant in a public setting. Harry & Meghan are more the exception than the rule, particularly among middle class and aristocratic families. My family are all middle class and we never display affection publicly. Plenty of people don’t hold hands or show any affection publicly but that doesn’t mean they don’t have those feelings.

      • swirlmamad says:

        @nahema, you are correct that we don’t actually know the truth of their relationship. And yes, I do know that most Brits are known for not showing emotion publicly — that is true. But I feel as though even Charles and Camilla, when we see them together, give off a sense of togetherness that can be seen in photos (And you would assume they are the epitome of royal stiff upper lip!). Sure it’s all conjecture at the end of the day, but I just don’t ever get a happy couple vibe from the Cambridges.

      • Kristina says:

        I see plenty of photos of Will touching Kate’s back, laughing with her, hand on a knee, and so on. I don’t think it’s fair to say they are cold. And as others have said- I did not grow up in a PDA family. I’ve been married 12 years, have kids I love so much it makes me tear up when I look at them, and a very strong marriage. And there is no PDA between my husband and me. It would feel showy and fake, since that’s not how we are. We do cuddle on the couch at home, though. He’s seen me through my mother’s death, loss I can’t bring myself to say publicly, and so much. There’s definitely strong love there, even if we don’t come across as lovey-dovey in public.

      • acreed says:

        My husband and I don’t (and never did) walk around holding hands, or touching in public. It would feel forced and bizarre to me if we did. But I don’t go around assuming everyone who does has some odd motives to do so. Some like to. Some don’t.

      • iconoclast59 says:

        W&K’s relationship has definitely cooled in the past couple of years. I remember following previous overseas tours on the GFY website. W&K have never been touchy-feely in publics, but there were many photographs of them exchanging grinning, conspiratorial looks that the GFY ladies called “eye-banging.” I haven’t seen any of that since Louis was born, maybe even longer. But then, if there really was an affair, it can take a long time to rebuild trust and intimacy. It’ll be interesting to see if they get back to a better place.

  2. Deedee says:

    It looks like they a very lovely time. Kate in particular seems to shine when she is interacting with children.

    • Some chick says:

      Kids and sporty stuff seem to be very much Kate’s wheelhouse. She seems to look happiest those times. Her garden design was centered on it being a magical space for kids. I believe she is sincere about these things. Speaking a bit of Urdu was a nice touch, and it looked like William was genuinely applauding her after that. (Along with everyone else in the room.)

      I think William just needs and/or expects) to always be in charge, and he knows Kate connects with people better. (She’s just shy of public speaking, and it appears she was offered very little training or support.) I have social anxiety, so I can give her a pass for being better one-on-one (or with kids or – in my case – critters).

      Yes, it is part of her job. Yes, she has had time to work out how to do it. Yes, she has had time off. But when you know that literally your every move and word will be scrutinized, withc cameras clicking, it must be incredibly stressful.

      She’s always been sporty, and so is more comfortable in those settings (cricket in heels notwithstanding, haha). Plus there is an activity beyond walking around being stared at by everyone and judged for your garments, which can’t be much fun.

      I thought her kurtas were beautiful. She’s good at the modeling aspect of the job. And I am sure the designers appreciate the bounce. They were all so lovely. I hope she gets the opportunity to rewear at least some of them.

  3. S808 says:

    They’ve definitely lifted strategies from Sussex Royal on how to better utilize and be more engaging on Instagram.

    • Lexa says:

      I think it’s more likely that they just have a better digital team now that actually knows what they’re doing and how to use the platform. If I had to guess, Christian Jones is behind a lot, if not most, of these changes because their social accounts seemed to improve right around the time he was hired. Harry and Meghan didn’t exactly reinvent Instagram’s best practices for influencers.

  4. AprilMay says:

    They felt so strongly and passionate about the work they’re doing, they only spent a half hour there on Thursday while scheduling an hour for cricket. But okay. Not to mention this is straight out of the Sussex social media play book which they were attacked for at the start of the month and now the Cambridges are being praised for it. Pathetic.

  5. Diana says:

    Ugh- these 2 are so fake. I’m really disappointed that Kate has chosen to compete with her new s-i-l rather than support her while the BP takes her over the coals on a daily basis. They’re passive-aggressive bullies.

  6. Beach Dreams says:

    😂 Sure.

  7. bonobochick says:

    I saw commentary on twitter about this using a pic of Michelle Obama (as the Sussexes) with Melania Trump (as the Cambridges) peering over MO’s shoulder to copy MO’s notes.

  8. (TheOG)@Jan90067 says:

    Can you just imagine the force that the FOUR of them would be together? If William could push aside his petty jealousy of his brother and SIL, of his own wife being more “liked” than him? Sadly, he is his father’s son, and learned nothing from the way Charles treated Diana. He’s doing the same to his brother.

    So very, very sad….

    • Vava says:

      Yes, I think most of the dysfunction is indeed on William.

    • swirlmamad says:

      Yes, if W & K had played this differently, they could have been a phenomenal force as a foursome. It’s just really sad and unfortunate.

      • undergalaxy says:

        They would never do it. Kate can’t stand to be seen as the loser and William’s ego is much too fragile. They’re both pathetic.

  9. Catherine says:

    It was a great tour, loved it! Kate loves kids, it always shows. Pakistan appears to have really appreciated the tour, They showed us another side of the country, one we dont get to see much of. It was a big win💚

  10. Sips.Tea says:

    They’ve definitely trying to mimic the Sussex Royal account and have gotten themselves a social media team

    • Becks1 says:

      Definitely mimicking Sussex Royal, but I’m glad for it. the KP Instagram was a mess a year ago. There was little info provided about the charities/organizations they visited, the pictures and captions were impersonal, etc. Harry and Meghan’s IG, despite some of the extremely verbose captions and the inspo quotes lol, is much better run and has been from the start and in my opinion does a much better job of providing information on what the royals are doing and why.

      So if KP decided to go down that path, good for them. I did laugh at the tour video though.

  11. Eleonor says:

    Children photos. Excellent pr move.
    Nothing better to make people forget they threw Meghan under the bus.
    This is all I have.

    • acreed says:

      How though?

      The Queen and Charles choosing not to step in should tip people off here.

      • Elisa says:

        Right? This is mind-boogling! TQ and PC are calling the shots in the BRF, so they should be called out for not lifting a finger to support H & M.

  12. RoyalBlue says:

    Sorry. The Cambridges are cancelled to me.

    The fact that Kate and William are the beneficiaries of the fallout of the destruction of Meghan and Harry is triggering serious PTSD for me. Never forget.

  13. Enn says:

    Some of you are way too invested in what should be a hobby.

    • Maria says:

      Then why are *you* here?

      • swirlmamad says:

        I guess to tell the rest of us we’re way too obsessed, and invested, apparently. 🙄

      • Enn says:

        Same reason I’ve been here since Britney was partying with Paris and LiLo. Gossip is a distraction and a hobby for me. I read stories when I need a break and then keep it moving.

      • Maria says:

        But you were bothered enough to come here and be condescending to us? Way to “keep it moving”.

    • acreed says:

      Enn, some of the weird rambling stories people tell here where they clearly think they can telepathically communicate with Royals really, really make me wonder about mental sanity.

    • Elisa says:

      +1 Enn. Some commenters are clearly over-invested and behaving like they know these people. It’s just gossip!

  14. Digital Unicorn says:

    This is the first time that the Cambridges have released/done behind the scenes stuff from any event let alone a tour – we see you competitive PR.

  15. CrystalBall says:

    Kate is rather like Dorian Gray – when the smile slips, there is something truly nasty, ugly and competitive that reveals itself. A deeply mean streak.

  16. kerwood says:

    They realized how low on substance their tour was so they did a quick make-up visit.

  17. Lene Malan says:

    Commentators just as bad as daily mail

  18. Autumn says:

    Of course, Willian isn’t interested in Kate. William didn’t want to marry Kate in the person place… Waity Katie? She was out for this position and I really don’t think Kate was ever into William. The Middleton’s had a plan…I would be grumpy too if no matter how hard William tried to shake her. If only her mom could get her hands on the royal jewels