KATE Middleton said “we all feel scared sometimes” in a sneak-peek clip of her CBeebies bedtime story reading.
The Duchess of Cambridge, 40, is the first member of the royals to take part in the CBeebies Bedtime Story – which has previously featured megastars such as Tom Hardy, Reece Witherspoon, Ryan Reynolds and Dolly Parton.
The book she will read follows the story of baby barn owl Plop – who is helped by others to grow in confidence and overcome his fears.
In a clip from the end of her reading – which will be broadcast on Sunday – Kate says: “Wow, what an encouraging tale.
“We can all feel scared sometimes, just like our little owl friend Plop.
“But it’s better to find out about the things that scare us before we make up our mind.
“With the help of others we can face the things that worry us.
“Now, it’s time for bed. Night night and sleep tight.”
Wearing a comfy roll-neck sweater, jeans and sitting cross-legged – the Duchess of Cambridge read a shortened version of The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark.
Her reading will be broadcast on Sunday to mark Children’s Mental Health Week.
Sources close to the Duchess revealed she fell in love with the book growing up, and as a mother has treated princes George, 8, and Louis, 3, and six-year-old Princess Charlotte, to the bedtime reading.
A source added: “The duchess personally selected the book because it chimes with children’s mental health week.
“The theme of the week is growing together and the book is about an owl who overcomes their fear of the dark.
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“She enjoyed reading the book as a child and reads it to her three children now.”
The BBC set up a studio inside Kensington Palace last month to film the duchess reading the story.
In a clip of the reading released today, she sits cross-legged on a rug beside two owls, a CBeebies stuffed toy, children’s den and fire pit.
This is the fourth year Kate has marked Mental Health Week.
The Duchess of Cambridge is the Royal Patron of Place2Be, a children’s mental health charity.
Patricia Hidalgo – the Director of BBC Children’s and Education – said: “I couldn’t be more proud to have The Duchess read a CBeebies Bedtime Story as we mark the 20th anniversary of our CBeebies and CBBC channels.
“It’s such a special and relevant tale and perfectly represents this years’ Children’s Mental Health week theme.
“I can’t wait to see her deliver her own take on such a classic story and I’m sure our audience can’t either.”
The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark read by The Duchess of Cambridge will air at 6.50pm, Sunday 13 February.
