Kate Middleton Once Mistaken for Prince William's Assistant -Her Clever Response
Although she has been a high-profile member of the British Royal Family since 2011, it appears there are still some people who don't know who Kate Middleton is.
Back in 2020, the couple met home care residents face-to-face for the first time in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was one of their first public appearances after lockdown.
Kate and William visited Shire Hall Care Home in Cardiff after previously playing virtual bingo with residents months earlier. During the visit, they met with residents and staff while observing health protocols, including social distancing and wearing masks.
However, during one discussion with a resident, Kate was mistaken for someone who worked for Prince William instead of his wife.
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The couple met resident Joan Drew-Smith, who publicly critiqued the couple's bingo skills. The Prince of Wales said, "Hello Joan, do you remember we did the bingo with you? You said we weren't very good!" She stood by her statement, telling the couple "Yes. You did a bloody [expletive] job."
"Is that your assistant?" Drew-Smith asked William, looking at the princess.
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Kate's clever response? "Well, I am your assistant. I have been for a long time!"
William told another resident that he and Kate had never played the game before. Kate added, "That's why we were so bad!"
"We enjoyed it just as much as you did," William continued. "It was a new experience for us."
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Kate's comeback has some truth to it. Her role as Princess of Wales is to assist or support her husband as he prepares for and eventually inherits the crown.
According to an April 2025 report by The Times, "Kate has always seen her role as a supporting one. She is understood to have been inspired by the late Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, who made an individual contribution while being very clear that his role was to support the monarch."
The report continued, "For Kate, that means acting as a gatekeeper to ensure that William can do his work while also finding time to be a hands-on father, and that everyone understands that this is the deal. It's 'the long game.'"
Kate Middleton just visited Italy on behalf of the royal family. The trip is tied into her work with early childhood education.
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This story was originally published May 15, 2026 at 5:03 AM.