Kate Middleton Chats With Young Girl About Losing Her Grandparents To COVID-19 — Watch The Touching Clip
May 17 2021, Published 2:59 p.m. ET
Kate Middleton detailed an emotional call she had with a young woman named Hayley Evans, whose grandparents, Pat and Ron Wood both passed away from COVID-19 in May 2020.
The mom-of-three featured Evans' photograph in her book, Hold Still, which was released in early May.
"At first they were nursed separately, but were soon reunited. Kind staff pushed their beds together and gave them their own room," Evans said, referring to the image she titled "Forever Holding Hands."
Unfortunately, Pat, 92, passed away in her sleep, and her husband, Ron, 95, died five days later.
"They spent their final days exactly where they were meant to be and exactly how they had spent the last 71 years ... together," Evans wrote.
"I wanted to say a huge thank you to you for sending in the wonderful, very moving photograph of your grandparents," Kate told the young girl. "I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm hugely grateful for you sending in such a personal photograph. Were you able to spend quite a bit of time with them?"
"They were in a room by themselves, after a few days of being in hospital and my nan got the positive result, they were able to put them in the same room," Evans replied.
"Oh, that must have meant the world to them," Kate said.
"My nan, it made her absolute life being able to be next to him," Evans agreed.
Kate added, "The photograph is so moving, and that's what I think is so lovely, is actually hearing people's stories, and the things that have really resonated for them. And I loved your sentence about saying how they appreciate the tiny things, and they took nothing for granted, and it was just the ability to touch each other and hold each other in those last few days."
"Their memory will certainly be remembered, that's for sure. And you know, their message, the fact that that sort of resilience, bravery, but also these small acts are the things that really matter, and really keep us together and I think that's been such an important message, especially during lockdown, and I think that really resonated with lots and lots of people," the royal concluded.
Kate has previously spoken to other finalists, including a cancer patient named Mila.
