The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, William and Catherine, today travelled to Cumbria to celebrate the resilience and spirit of rural and farming communities in the region.
Cumbria is home to the English Lake District, which was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2017, and to England’s largest lake – Windermere – and highest mountain – Scafell Pike.
The rural county, considered as one of England’s finest areas of natural beauty, serving as inspiration for artists, writers, and musicians, is visited by millions each year, making tourism key to the economy.
Farming and agriculture also have a special place in the Lake District National Park, famous for its native Herdwick sheep, and farmers have worked for centuries on some of the most challenging lands in the country. The Lake District National Park is the most-visited national park in the United Kingdom welcoming 15.8 million visitors annually.
William and Catherine definitely enjoyed the day away from the busy roads of London. The are did not have any royal visit in a decade.
The Royal Couple first visited the market town of Keswick where they joined a celebration to recognise the contribution of individuals and local organisations in supporting communities and families across Cumbria. The couple met three spaniels Max, Paddy and Harry. From Dailymail‘s report,
The Duke and Duchess were first introduced to therapy dog Max and his owner Kerry Irving, 54, a mental health campaigner, at a Buckingham Palace garden party last month – and are understood to have been so impressed by the pair that they were invited to spend more time with the royals in their hometown of Keswick.
Keswick, situated between the huge bulk of Skiddaw and the gentle beauty of Derwentwater, has become the major centre for tourism in the northern Lake District. This pretty market town offers a wide range of attractions for visitors, from shops and restaurants to museums with a difference, and boating trips around lake Derwentwater.
In 1276 Edward I granted the town its market charter, and it continues to this day. Keswick market is of good quality and brings many locals and visitors to the town. The general market stands every Saturday and Thursday, except in high winds. In the centre of the Market Square is the Moot Hall, now home to the Tourist Information Centre.
They met volunteers including those from the local mountain rescue service, community first responders, young people trained as mental health first aiders and other organisations that have benefitted from grants from the Cumbria Community Foundation. They also attended Keswick Flood Action Group met. Several volunteer groups from across Cumbria attended the event in Keswick where they talked about flood risk in and around the town.
Then they joined children from Patterdale School for an environmental educational session on the Ullswater Way.
A great shot showing the stunning view of the county.
The Cumbria Community Foundation works to address disadvantage by making life-changing grants and promoting philanthropy. The foundation provides philanthropic services to individuals, families and organisations and manages 90 grantmaking funds, supporting more than 500 community projects per year on behalf of our fundholders. Since 1999, it has invested more than £42m into almost 4,000 groups and 8,000 individuals.
The couple met with the members of Ewanrigg Local Trust that receives grants from Cumbria Community Foundation for its We Will Youth Mental Health project. Working under the slogan of “Have the courage to talk; have the courage to listen. No-one is alone”, WE WILL is a group of young people aged 14-18 who want to create a new generation of Youth Mental Health First Aid trained people leading change. Mental Health is the primary focus of William and Catherine’s public role.
WE WILL team have joined together to campaign for change in the way that youth mental health is dealt with in their schools, communities, families and wider social circles.
Before departing Keswick, The Duke and Duchess spent some time in the Market Square meeting members of the public gathered outside. The royal couple was welcomed by the large crowd in the streets of the town.
The next stop was a traditional fell sheep farm, where Duchess was given some flowers by two sisters. She was admiring the girl’s plaits and admitted that she had tried to braid Princess Charlotte’s hair that morning but that it had not gone very well.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge spent time on Deepdale Hall Farm with the Brown family, who have been farming near Lake Ullswater since the 1950s tend to their flock of Herdwick and Swaledale sheep, joining them for sheep shearing, herding and dry stone walling.
Then they visited a traditional fell sheep farm, where they had the opportunity to meet members of the Cumbrian farming community, and learn about some of the key challenges farmers are facing. They talked about Wool price and use of plastic in fashion.
William and Catherine also heard about the peer support networks helping those in the most rural areas and the innovative ways some farms are diversifying. They discussed some of the key challenges farmers are facing — including rural isolation, Brexit and support payments.
From Chris Ship’s report,
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge aren’t here to cut some ribbon or open a new visitor centre – as royals are perhaps best known for – but they came to sit in a farm kitchen and listen to a group of farmers tell them what it’s like working high up in the hills of Cumbria.
The couple’s visit was very important as it bring the beautiful county into the limelight. In the tough time when the country is struggling economically the visit can economically benefit the area by bringing more visitors.
Duchess of Cambridge tried her hand at sheep shearing.
The Duchess of Cambridge sheep shearing during a visit to a farm in Cumbria 🐑 pic.twitter.com/3vCehmx6Xh
— Lizzie Robinson (@LizzieITV) June 11, 2019
A video of the moment.
For the day, Duchess of Cambridge chose a stunning casual look. She debuted a new jacket today.
Catherine wore Troy London’s the Tracker Jacket in Olive. Thanks to Middleton Maven on Twitter for the quick id.
The £275 jacket is described as, “The ultimate throw-on summer jacket made from cotton drill. Beautifully finished inner with contrast binding in honey gold. The internal drawstring waist gives the option for a more tailored fit. Utilitarian pockets. Fastened with monogrammed bone buttons.”
Duchess paired the jacket with her Fjallraven Ovik Re-wool Sweater debuted in October 2018 during Sayers Croft Trust School and Wildlife Recreation Ground visit and Black jeans. Underneath the sweater, Catherine wore a white top that is still unidentified. Will update the post with details later on.
She was wearing her See by Chloe Leather-Trimmed Suede Ankle Boots that she debuted in January 2019 during the visit to King Henry’s Walk Community Garden.
Her Kiki Lauren Yellow Gold Pavé Diamond Leaf Earrings
and Cartier Ballon Bleu watch finished the look.
Next, we will see Duchess tomorrow, when she will attend the first annual gala dinner in recognition of Addiction Awareness Week, hosted by Action on Addiction and chef Skye Gyngell.