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Kate Middleton Shares Pride About WWII Code-Cracking Grandma

By Jessica Dafoe
Published on: 14:27 PST, Oct 16, 2016

Kate Middleton has opened up about how proud she is of her late grandmother who assisted in helping to crack enemy codes during World War II. The Duchess shared about her fascinating grandmother, Valerie Glassborow, in the forward of a puzzle book that is set to be released this week by the United Kingdom’s national intelligence and security agency. Kate states that she is “immensely proud” of her grandmother.

Proceeds from the puzzle book go toward the Heads Together campaign, which was spearheaded by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, as The Telegraph shares. The initiative brings awareness to mental health issues and fights the stigma usually attached.

Within the foreword of the book, Kate Middleton points out the “importance of mental wellbeing,” and also introduces a set of brainteasers that were put together by GCHQ staff, Middleton also emphasizes her connection to British intelligence’s top codebreakers and cryptographers by way of her grandmother, who worked at Bletchley Park, the famous code-breaking site of WWII.

The Huffington Post relays the Duchess’ words in the forward regarding her grandmother’s role.

“I have always been immensely proud of my grandmother, Valerie Glassborow, who worked at Bletchley Park during the Second World War. She and her twin sister, Mary, served with thousands of other young women as part of the great Allied effort to break enemy codes. They hardly ever talked about their wartime service, but we now know just how important the men and women of Bletchley Park were, as they tackled some of the hardest problems facing the country.”

Glassborow went on to marry British military pilot Peter Middleton in 1946, Kate’s grandfather. Valerie died in 2006 at the age of 82. By sharing her connection to the honored code-breaker, Kate ensures that her grandmother’s work and memory will continue to be of a positive impact today.

Kate then shared about the campaign that she, her husband and Prince Harry have initiated and remain very much involved in, Heads Together.

“William, Harry and I are very grateful that this book is supporting our Heads Together campaign. I hope it will not only amuse and challenge readers, but help to promote an open discussion of mental health problems, which can affect anyone, regardless of age or background. Together, we are aiming to change the national conversation around mental health from stigma and fear to openness and understanding. Those who buy this book and support the Heads Together campaign will be playing a part in helping people get the important mental health care they deserve.”

The book is set to go on sale on October 20 and is published by Penguin Random House. Within its pages, GCHQ Director Robert Hannigan also speaks of the importance of individuals who think differently and are unique. Middleton’ s grandmother, along with her colleagues of the time, were valued for their ability to see situations and pieces to a puzzle that few others could. Such a message ties in well while encouraging people to see those who have mental differences as unique and special. We are reminded that everyone has a gift and a talent to offer, and all are deserving of necessary support to see those talents shine.

The publication relays Hannigan’s words in regards to the book and those it honors.

“For nearly one hundred years, the men and women of GCHQ, both civilian and military, have been solving problems. They have done so in pursuit of our mission to keep the United Kingdom safe… Not all are geniuses or brilliant mathematicians or famous names, but each is valued for his or her contribution to our mission.”

[Featured Image by Charlotte Graham – WPA Pool/Getty Images]

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