The Women's Institute (WI) branch in Norfolk may soon be welcoming a new member in its assembly, as the president of Anmer WI, where Kate Middleton now resides with her growing family, said that The Duchess of Cambridge is interested in joining the group.
According to the Daily Mail, Dorothy Pulsford-Harris, 70, the president of Anmer WI in the Sandringham estate, had written Kate back in December when they learned that she would be moving with her family in the community. Pulsford-Harris, now a retired lawyer, sent the letter with the intention of inviting The Duchess of Cambridge into their group, and she has apparently replied.
"I had a very nice letter back from her private secretary saying she was interested. We would be delighted to see her," said Pulsford-Harris.
The ladies of Anmer WI, with only 14 members as its current roster, often meet once a month at the community hall to have tea and jam, then share crafting activities and talk about women, homemaking and family issues, according to the Daily Mail report. It's a long-standing tradition among the British elite, one that Kate Middleton's grandmother-in-law is actually part of.
Back in 1943, Queen Elizabeth first became part of Sandringham WI. Today, she currently stands as the chapter president. The queen regularly attends a meeting once a year, particularly around Christmas season. The Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla, and the Countess of Wessex, Sophie, are also WI members, while Princess Anne is an associate member, reports Mirror.
If Kate makes firm her interest, she would become one of the younger members of the elite ladies club, if not the youngest. "I don't know how old our youngest member is, but I would say early 40s," said Pulsford-Harris via Mirror. Kate would also become a potential speaker for WI, as the Queen is.
"The speakers include people with interesting jobs like the local paramedics who go round on their bicycles, and people from local charities, particularly mental health charities. There are also outings and we have a meeting once a year when we go to a member's home in the evening for a garden party - hopefully when it is not raining," revealed Pulsford-Harris.
There are over 215,000 members in the Women's Institute all around Britain, and the prospect of having Kate join the assembly is indeed something that the National Federation of Women's Institutes is looking forward to.
"The WI is made up of all kinds of women, of all different backgrounds and ages, which is what makes it so special," said Janice Langley, the chairperson of the federation in the Daily Mail report.
Meanwhile, Kensington Palace has not made any comment on whether or not The Duchess of Cambridge is indeed joining WI, as of press time.
