On Wednesday, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were back to their first home after their marriage in 2011 – North Wales. The Royal Couple was there to meet with individuals and organisations in the region who are encouraging people to look after their communities and protect the natural environment.
They first visited the Caernarfon Coastguard Search and Rescue Helicopter Base. Until 2015, search and rescue operated out of RAF Valley on Anglesey, where The Duke worked as an RAF search and rescue pilot between 2010-2013. From the Mail Online Story:
William told his old crew that he does miss his old job, which involved flying rescue missions in all kinds of weather and terrain. Coastguard helicopter winchman Paul Jones and his wife Gemma, were with their son’s, Finlay, 12, and Alex, aged nine, who were much younger the last time Kate and William saw them. Mr Jones said: ‘It’s lovely to see him, we worked very closely for three years and then he moved away. It was like he’s never been away.
William and Catherine viewed the Coastguard’s new Sikorsky S92 helicopters and met members of the search and rescue team, many of whom previously worked alongside The Duke at RAF Valley.
The Duke and Duchess then joined a discussion with crew members about the mental health challenges that result from working as first responders, and also met staff from the Wales Air Ambulance, which operates next door to Caernarfon Search and Rescue.
From Caernarfon, The Royal couple travelled to Anglesey to visit Halen Môn Anglesey Sea Salt, a thriving local business that has been operating for over two decades, and which won the Queen’s Award for Sustainability in 2017.
The Duke and Duchess saw the salt making process from hand harvesting to packaging and learnt more about Halen Môn’s collaborations with other local food producers, and their involvement in community initiatives.
A video of the visit.
The last engagement of the day was an embargoed one. They visited Newborough Beach that holds many special memories for the couple. You all might remember a picture of William and Catherine taking a stroll on the beach with Lupo from the early years of their marriage.
At the beach, the royal couple joined the Scouts from Menai Bridge to explore Newborough Beach’s wildlife habitat and to learn more about nesting bird colonies in the area.
The Duchess of Cambridge previously volunteered with the Scouts during her time in Anglesey, and during the visit heard how the Scouts are working closely with local organisations and schools to protect the region’s natural habitat.
Anglesey is the first county in the UK to be awarded Plastic Free Communities status by the group, in recognition of the fantastic work to reduce the impact of single-use plastic on the environment through the ‘Plastic Free Anglesey’ campaign.
William and Catherine joined students for a beach clean up.
Another beautiful video.
For the day away, The Duchess of Cambridge was in her old favourites. She wore a red Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini blazer that she first wore in 2017.
Catherine paired the Jacket with her Aquatalia Rhumba boots.
The Duchess of Cambridge was carrying her Aspinal of London Midi Mayfair Bag in deep shine black croc.
For the beach visit, the Duchess changed to a new navy Troy London Pop Wax Parka.
The £375 Parka is described on the website as, “This lightweight coat is made from 100% cotton milled in England with a dry wax finish. A black sports-luxe lining provides fully waterproof protection and brings an urban appeal to this casual but elegant coat with a cinched waist and drawstring hood. Featuring vibrant orange detailing, gold cord ends and gold engraved bar”.
A closer look at the detailing.
And she swapped her boots with Penelope Chilvers Long Tassel Boots.
Catherine finished her look with Kiki McDonough Citrine Pear Drop Earrings.
Next, we will see The Duchess of Cambridge on May 14th when she will visit Bletchley Park.
