Kate Middleton admitted she was Prince William’s assistant after hilarious case of mistaken identity

The Duchess of Cambridge had a witty comeback after she was confused as her husband's staff

Kate Middleton admitted she was Prince William’s assistant after hilarious case of mistaken identity
(Image credit: Getty)

Kate Middleton was mistaken for Prince William's assistant during a public engagement—and her response was just what we'd expect from the royal icon.


Kate Middleton was mistaken for Prince William's assistant during a public engagement at the beginning of the pandemic, much to the future Queen's amusement. 

The hilarious confusion dates back to May 2020, when the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge hosted a virtual bingo game for the folks of Shire Hall Care Home in Cardiff, Wales. The couple teamed up for the popular pastime, taking turns to call out the lucky numbers on Zoom for a group of competitive pensioners.

At the end of the game, William and Kate were introduced to a resident named Joan Drew-Smith, who had some no-nonsense feedback for their bingo-calling skills. The regular player said that the experience "wasn't as good as it should have been"—a brutally honest remark that, fortunately, didn't seem to offend the good-humored couple.

Kate and Will

Kate Middleton was mistaken for Prince William's assistant by Joan (in white blouse) at Shire Hall Care Home

(Image credit: Getty)

Joan met the Cambridge duo once again in August 2020, when they paid a visit to the Welsh care home in light of the loosened Covid restrictions. The direct 87-year-old was quick to buckle down on her previous criticism, reminding Will and Kate that they "did a bloody s****y job" as bingo newbies.

It was at this point that Joan took a playful shot at Kate, asking Prince William, "Is that your assistant?" 

Never one to make things awkward, the Duchess instantly laughed off the question, replying, "Well I am your assistant. I have been for a long time!" 

Prince William was also able to see the funny side of the encounter, telling staff, "I love Joan, she's brilliant. If only everyone was as honest as her."

Emma Dooney
Lifestyle News Writer

Hailing from the lovely city of Dublin, Emma mainly covers the Royal Family and the entertainment world, as well as the occasional health and wellness feature. Always up for a good conversation, she has a passion for interviewing everyone from A-list celebrities to the local GP - or just about anyone who will chat to her, really.

Emma holds an MA in International Journalism from City, University of London, and a BA in English Literature from Trinity College Dublin.