Kate Middleton's unlikely train toilet gesture that shows her 'character and sense of duty'

Kate Middleton showed her 'character and sense of duty' as she helped someone out on the train to the Commonwealth Games

Kate Middleton showed her 'character and sense of duty'
(Image credit: Getty)

Kate Middleton showed her 'character and sense of duty' while she traveled by train to Birmingham with her family to the Commonwealth Games.


Kate Middleton radiated sophistication in a pristine white suit on Tuesday, August 2, at the Commonwealth Games. The Duchess was joined by the Duke of Cambridge and Princess Charlotte whose cheeky faces stole the show. 

While the Royal Family was perfectly behaved and showed their dutiful behavior at this event, a journalist revealed that their duty doesn't just begin when the cameras are on them. 

Matthew Syed, a columnist for the Times, revealed that he was traveling to Birmingham with his son for the Commonwealth Games when he had a sweet encounter with the Duchess of Cambridge. 

Matthew revealed that he visited the toilets and his son Ted stood outside while he waited for his father to finish. Catherine saw the young boy on his own and approached him to make sure that he wasn't lost or traveling alone.

"As I am doing my thing, I hear him talking to a woman in the vestibule. “Are you here alone?” she asks. 'No, my dad is in there' – he says, pointing to the lavatory," reports Matthew.

The Duchess then kept the boy company and entertained him while they waited for his father to finish. "They continue chatting as I use the soap, then tap, then the dryer. Judging by the laughter, they are having a whale of a time. I hear my son telling the lady that his father once won Commonwealth gold and sense that he is brandishing the medal he has brought along for the occasion. I hear more laughter. By the time I am finished, we are only a couple of minutes from the station," said the writer.

Matthew revealed that he was shocked to see that the kind person chatting to his son was actually the future Queen. "'Come on Ted,' I say, 'we have to get off! Oh, and thanks for keeping him company . . . ' I say turning to the woman waiting her turn when I am stopped in my tracks."

Kate Middleton

(Image credit: Max Mumby/Indigo / Contributor / Getty Images)

Matthew revealed that he could not hide his shock, "My brow furrows, my face works. 'Kate?', I blurt out. There are no security guards in the vestibule; no armed guards. But here is the Duchess of Cambridge, chatting merrily with my son."

The journalist revealed that his son had no idea who he was talking to, but reported that she was 'really nice'. "'Did you realise who that was, son?' I ask him. 'No idea but she was really nice,' he responds," said Matthew. "The Duchess had no idea she was chatting to the son of a journalist so I take this to reflect her character and sense of duty. The monarchy is in consummate hands," concluded the journalist.

Laura Harman

Laura is the Entertainment Editor for woman&home who primarily covers television, film, and celebrity news. Laura loves drinking and eating and can often be found trying to get reservations at London's trendiest restaurants. When she's not wining and dining, Laura can also be found travelling, baking, and hiking with her dog.