London: Kate Middleton had everyone laughing when someone once confused her for Prince William's assistant and her response was priceless.
The light-hearted exchange took place during the couple's visit to Shire Hall Care Home in Cardiff, Wales, in August 2020, an engagement marked by pandemic-era face coverings and warm reconnections.
According to Hello! magazine, William and Kate reconnected there with Joan Drew-Smith. The royals previously played bingo with Drew-Smith, who then said, "You did a bloody s----- job" about their bingo calling skills when William brought it up, reports PEOPLE.
Wearing protective face masks amid pandemic protocols, the couple continued chatting with residents when Drew-Smith, pointing to Catherine, asked William, "Is that your assistant?"
With a laugh, Kate said, "Well I am your assistant! I have been for a long time!"
Taking it in stride, Hello! reported that Prince William later told staff, "I love Joan, she's brilliant. If only everyone was as honest as her."
Kate officially became a full-time working royal after marrying Prince William in April 2011.
While visiting students in Scotland in 2023, she introduced herself simply by saying, "Who am I? I'm married to William."
"She’s never trying to outshine him in any way," royal biographer Penny Junor previously told PEOPLE about the dynamic William and Kate share. "I think that Kate is a bit like Prince Philip supporting the Queen. She doesn’t outshine William but still has a lot to say herself."
Most recently, the Prince and Princess of Wales appeared together at the naming ceremony of HMS Glasgow on May 22. As the ship's sponsor, Catherine performed the ceremonial whisky-breaking ritual and captivated onlookers with a sartorial nod to Princess Diana's timeless style.
