Duchess of Cambridge says Louis, 2, doesn't understand social distancing and wants to 'cuddle everything'

The Duchess of Cambridge has revealed her youngest son “wants to cuddle everything” when they go out, and hasn’t quite understood social distancing.

Prince Louis, who turned two in lockdown, particularly likes cuddling babies younger than him, according to his doting mum Kate.

She was speaking to families involved in a BBC project called Tiny Happy People, which she has been working on since last year.

Speaking to Kerry, Darren and their son Dexter, also two, ahead of the launch, she said: “I was just saying, Louis doesn’t understand social distancing.

“So he goes out wanting to cuddle everything, particularly any babies younger than him.”

The duchess and Kerry also talked about how their children were “very close” in age, with their birthdays just a month apart.

EMBARGOED TO 2230 MONDAY JULY 13 Undated handout photo issued by Kensington Palace of the Duchess of Cambridge, as she marked the launch of a new BBC education resource called Tiny Happy People.
The duchess has been working on the BBC project in secret. (Kensington Palace)
EMBARGOED TO 2230 MONDAY JULY 13    Undated handout photo issued by Kensington Palace of the Duchess of Cambridge (centre) with Kerry, Darren and their two-year-old son Dexter, to mark the launch of a new BBC education resource called Tiny Happy People. PA Photo. Issue date: Monday July 13, 2020. The project is aimed at helping develop children's communication and language skills. The duchess met with three families who have been involved in the creation and piloting of the digital platform of free activity and play ideas for 0-4 year olds. See PA story ROYAL Kate. Photo credit should read: Kensington Palace/PA Wire    NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used in for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.
The duchess with Kerry, Darren and their two-year-old son Dexter. (Kensington Palace)

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Kerry, from Norfolk, said: “He’s now taken to running everywhere.”

Kate replied laughing: “Oh my God, I know that. You put Louis down and he’s off.”

The duchess talked about her children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Louis’s large appetites, saying: “My children have bottomless pits. I feel like a constant feeding machine.”

Dexter was asked by his mother: “Can you say Princess Kate?”

When he did, Kate replied: “You are so clever. Look at you. So many words.”

Kate asked Dexter: “Is that your digger? It’s very nice. Louis would like that digger.”

The duchess revealed she has been working with the BBC on the Tiny Happy People project on Tuesday morning, with Kensington Palace explaining she visited Broadcasting House last November to work on some of the video projects.

She helped develop the characters and background in two of the videos on the platform.

EMBARGOED TO 2230 MONDAY JULY 13 Undated handout photo issued by Kensington Palace of the Duchess of Cambridge with Ryan and his eight-month-old daughter, to mark the launch of a new BBC education resource called Tiny Happy People.
Kate with Ryan and his eight-month-old daughter, Mia. (Kensington Palace)
EMBARGOED TO 2230 MONDAY JULY 13 Undated handout photo issued by Kensington Palace of the Duchess of Cambridge (right) with Abu, Henrietta and their 11 month daughter Amirah, to mark the launch of a new BBC education resource called Tiny Happy People.
The duchess with Abu, Henrietta and their 11-month-old daughter Amirah, who opened up to her about their relationship. (Kensington Palace)

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During her socially distant chats, she also talked about how to help children return to normality, and the impact of lockdown on families.

She said: “How do you extend that umbilical cord having had that precious time together? I know from personal perspective having lots of that extra time together is fine.

“But then actually being able to stand back again and go back to how things were, it’s really hard for lots of families.”

Speaking to Ryan, who is dad to eight-month-old Mia, about how she had found lockdown, she said: “It’s been challenging, challenging for loads of people. Some parts have been really positive, spending extra time with the kids.

“It’s equally stressful, you’re in sort of confined spaces and having to home-school – that was definitely a challenge.

“I always respected teachers before, but now I have a new-found respect for them.”

Copyright: Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. NEWS EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO COMMERCIAL USE. NO MERCHANDISING, ADVERTISING, SOUVENIRS, MEMORABILIA or COLOURABLY SIMILAR. NOT FOR USE AFTER 31 DECEMBER, 2020, WITHOUT PRIOR PERMISSION FROM KENSINGTON PALACE. This photograph is provided to you strictly on condition that you will make no charge for the supply, release or publication of it and that these conditions and restrictions will apply (and that you will pass these on) to any organisation to whom you supply it. There shall be no commercial use whatsoever of the photographs (including by way of example only) any use in merchandising, advertising or any other non-news editorial use. The photographs must not be digitally enhanced, manipulated or modified in any manner or form and must include all of the individuals in the photograph when published. All other requests for use should be directed to the Press Office at Kensington Palace in writing. MANDATORY CREDIT: Duchess of Cambridge. Undated handout photo released by Kensington Palace, which was taken by the Duchess of Cambridge earlier this month in Norfolk, of the Duke of Cambridge, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis in new pictures marking both his birthday and Father's Day. The Duke of Cambridge turns 38 on Sunday.
Kate revealed Louis wants to cuddle everything when they go out. (Duke and Duchess of Cambridge)

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Parents Henrietta and Abu, who have an 11-month-old daughter called Amirah admitted to her that their relationship had suffered during lockdown.

She told them: “I think you’re doing an amazing job.”

The resources the duchess is endorsing include activities, play ideas and videos aimed at parents of 0-4 year olds to help develop communication and language skills.

Early years development has been a passion of the duchess’s for years, and she said the resources were “like gold dust” for new mothers and fathers.