Kate turns interviewer in heartwarming chat with 98-year-old war veteran
Kate was joined by Colonel David Blum OBE and ten-year old Emily Edge to discuss the continued importance of Remembrance events.
The Duchess of Cambridge took on the role of interviewer in a heartwarming chat with a war veteran and a Cub Scout.
Kate, 39, was joined by Colonel David Blum OBE, 98, and ten-year old Emily Edge to discuss the continued importance of Remembrance events.
The trio made pin poppy’s under Emily’s instructions while Colonel Blum shared his memories of serving in the Second World War.
He revealed he was a schoolboy living in Pimlico, South London, when he got called up for the army.
‘I was actually called up to Aberdeen. Then I was selected for commissioning and I went to Sandhurst,’ he said.
Kate said she’d ‘heard a lot’ about the military academy from Prince William, who graduated there in 2006.
She joked it was probably ‘not as tough’ for her husband as it was for Colonel Blum, who agreed it ‘had its moments’.
Turning the topic to Remembrance, Kate asked Colonel Blum: ‘I’d love to hear what Remembrance means for you and why this time of year is so important.’
The war veteran, who holds the Italy Star, revealed he lost many friends in the war and that Remembrance allowed him to honour their service and sacrifice.
He told the duchess: ‘I have to say I lost a few friends. One in particular I remember, he was killed a day or two before the war ended.
‘That, I must say, affected me quite a bit. You wrote to their families, to say how sorry you were to have to tell them about this.’
Colonel Blum also showed the duchess photos from his private album, including one of his wife.
He revealed he was given leave from Gibraltar to return home for his wedding during the war.
He said he wife died 18 years ago and that ‘sadly there fewer and fewer people around now who I’m able to share memories with’.
‘It’s a fact that when you get to 98, as I am, they’ve mostly gone. Which is sad,’ he said.
‘But, I turn out every Remembrance Day. I used to go up to Whitehall but now I have to do a local parade with the British Legion in Staines, where I live.’
Kate shared her own thoughts on Remembrance, saying: ‘It’s amazing to think Remembrance has been part of the fabric of society [for just over 100 years]. It’s fantastic that an idea that was initiated then is still relevant today.’
She also asked Emily what it means to her as a young person.
The 10-year-old replied: ‘I think it’s important to remember all of the servicemen and women who risked or sacrificed their life so that we can live freely and happily today.’
Kate, who is Joint-President of the Scouts, hosted the conversation as scouts have been taking part in activities to commemorate the centenary of the armed forces’ charity the Royal British Legion.
Colonel Blum revealed he had been in the Scouts for ‘many years’ before the war and joked the most important skill he learned was ‘how to make porridge’.
The Duchess of Cambridge praised the organisation, saying: ‘That’s what’s fantastic, isn’t it, about Scouts, you get so many opportunities to try different activities, to test yourself and also as a learning experience as well.’
A new Scouts’ Centenary Remembrance Badge, an initiative spearheaded by The Duchess, will 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.
Emily told how Scouts had helped her ‘bring up her courage and confidence’.
At the end of the video, Kate surprised her by awarding her with the new badge.
It comes a day after the duchess met Holocaust survivors as she opened two new museum galleries
In a busy week for Kate, she will also join the Queen and other senior royals at the Cenotaph for Remembrance Sunday.
The Palace said previously it was the Queen’s ‘firm intention’ to attend the annual wreath-laying service in Whitehall, following a short bout of ill-health.
The monarch, who lived through the Second World War as a teenager, is head of the Armed Forces and attaches great importance to the poignant service.
William and Kate will also attend the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday evening.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.