The Prince and Princess of Wales attended the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey on Monday, March 10.
A lip reader has uncovered the five-word question Kate Middleton asked a young girl during her rare public appearance at the event.
Earlier in the week, on Monday, March 10, the Prince and Princess of Wales joined other members of the Royal Family, including King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Princess Anne, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, for the annual Commonwealth Day service.
Kate’s attendance came just a couple of months after her announcement on January 14 that she is in remission from cancer. The 43-year-old had been absent from public engagements last year after revealing she would be taking a temporary break following her diagnosis.
A widely shared clip on social media captures the moment Kate, wearing a striking hot pink gown by Catherine Walker and a matching hat by Gina Foster, left Westminster Abbey and was greeted by a young girl holding a bouquet of flowers.
Kate bent down to accept the flowers, shared a few words with the girl, and shook her hand.
The sweet moment quickly won hearts online, with one X user commenting: “Pure happiness on these kids’ faces.”
Another remarked: “I’ve always thought Kate had a special connection with kids. I think she could have been a teacher if she wasn’t a royal.”
Now, expert lip reader Jeremy Freeman has exclusively shared with Tyla what he believes was said during the brief exchange.
According to Jeremy, Kate began the conversation with a warm smile, saying: “Oh hello, thank you… so what’s your name?”
After learning the girl’s name, Kate followed up with: “Did you go to the service?”
The child responded with a simple “yeah,” prompting Kate to ask: “Did you enjoy it?”
Once again, the girl answered “yeah.”
Kate then thanked her before asking a touching five-word question: “Can I shake your hand?”
Meanwhile, Prince William was also engaged in conversation, though Jeremy noted his words were “very hard to follow.” However, he believes William asked: “Are you missing school today?”
A different young girl, dressed in red, responded with a “yes,” to which William reacted with a lighthearted “Ah!”
Jeremy suggests William may have then inquired about the service and where she was seated in the abbey, with the girl explaining her location.
Before the service, which also commemorated the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, King Charles paid tribute to the “sacrifice and selflessness” of Commonwealth forces.
Meanwhile, outside the abbey, members of the anti-monarchy group Republic held a protest, displaying signs that read “Not my King” and “Down with the Crown.”