Prince William jokes about perils of dinner time with three children

The Duke of Cambridge has given an insight into royal mealtimes during a video call to a Scottish charity.

Speaking to representatives of the PEEK Project (Possibilities for Each and Every Kid), a charity in Glasgow that provides hot and healthy meals for vulnerable families during the coronavirus pandemic, Prince William said the success of his family meals depend very much on “what’s on the table”.

The duke had expected to visit people from the charity in person this week at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.

However, the coronavirus lockdown meant the event had to be cancelled, forcing all royal engagements to take place digitally instead.

On Wednesday, Prince William video called the PEEK Project in Glasgow about its work, which has been helped by the National Emergencies Trust (NET) Coronavirus Appeal.

The royal was given a tour of the charity’s food truck – named Peekachew by the children it helps – and also hailed the “incredible” efforts of community chef Charlie Farrally and the record 900 meals that are made in one day in the van and kitchens loaned by local businesses.

The duke also heard how the charity is “taking the pressure off parents” who are already dealing with the effects of the coronavirus lockdown.

During the call, Mr Farrally said: “You’ll know yourself, the hardest time is dinner time.”

Prince William, who has three children, George, Charlotte and Louis, laughed and replied: “It depends what’s on the table.

“If parents put something on that children love, dinner time goes very well.”

He continued: “But if you put something on the table they don’t want to do, that’s another ball game.”

The duke also spoke to Michaela Collins, who started visiting PEEK when she was aged nine before becoming a volunteer and then chief executive.

“What a brilliant rise,” William said. “I think that’s absolutely fantastic. You are the embodiment of what can be done.

“I hope when I find myself up in Glasgow in the near future I can come and see you guys in person and congratulate you.”

Prince William also took part in a second video call with Finding Your Feet, a charity that provides support to families affected by amputation or limb absence.

The duke spoke to founder Corinne Hutton, who was given a five per cent chance of surviving sepsis in 2013 and had her hand amputated and legs amputated below the knee.

After setting up the charity to help others she became the first quadruple amputee to climb Ben Nevis, the first female quadruple amputee to climb Mount Kilimanjaro and the first Scot to receive a double hand transplant.

“You’re a huge inspiration. I’m so pleased the NET have found you and you’ve found them and that relationship is helping,” Prince William said.

Stephen McAtamany, one of the charity’s beneficiaries, who had his left leg amputated below the knee in 1988 after a motorbike accident and now sports a leopard-print limb, was also on the call.

The 57-year-old spoke openly about his own struggles with mental health, with William asking: “What was the biggest bit of support for you? One of the things we’re trying to encourage people to do is have that first conversation.

“For you, that first conversation with (counsellor) Michelle, did those dark clouds lift a bit?”

Mr McAtamany replied: ”Being able to reach out initially to make that appointment was a massive step.

“A big burden was lifted right away.”

They also agreed the Paralympics had “completely changed” public attitudes to seeing those who had lost limbs.