Kate Middleton has been credited with influencing more people than ever to join the Scouts, as membership reaches an all-time high. Since the royal announced last January that she would become a volunteer for the organisation, total membership has risen by more than 11,500, reaching record levels. Nearly 3000 adults have also signed up as volunteers in the last year, one of the biggest rises in decades for the organisation.
The Duchess of Cambridge has been seen volunteering for the Scouts and last month proved herself to be a dab hand at breadmaking when she joined the scouts for an activity day in the Lake District. The royal joked with other volunteers about her "twister" bread: "Oh it's actually not bad," she said. "If you were desperately hungry." Kate has becoming one of the growing members of flexible volunteers who, because of other commitments, help when they can rather then every session. At the time of becoming a volunteer, a St James's Palace spokesperson said she "loved the idea of Scouting and working hands-on with children". Latest figures have shown that the total number of adults has passed 100,000 for the first time this century, showing that the Scouts may be the latest organisation to be charmed with the "Kate Effect".
Chief Scout Bear Grylls praised the mum-to-be's efforts: "It's great that so many adults are joining the Scouts, and I am sure the increase has had much to do with the Duchess of Cambridge becoming a Scout Volunteer last year." "She is an incredible role model and she helps is show that Scouting's not just for boys "She's also such a generous volunteer and everyone is excited to have her in the Scouting family". On Sunday, Kate attended the National Review of the Queen's Scouts at Windsor Castle. The pregnant duchess spent time with excited well-wishers and guest from both the UK and the Commonwealth.