After last night’s dazzling appearance at the world premiere of ‘No Time to Die’, it was ‘no Time to Lie’ for The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Prince William and Catherine were back to work today with an embargoed visit to Derry-Londonderry in Northern Ireland. It is The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s first visit to this part of Northern Ireland.
The Palace said,
“It’s great to be back in Northern Ireland for a day in Derry-Londonderry hearing from young people about how life has been during the pandemic and meeting organizations working across communities.“
William and Catherine last made a joint visit to the Northern Ireland in March 2019 and The Duchess again came back in February 2020 to talk about her Early years Project Survey.
The first stop of the day was Ulster University in Derry~Londonderry. The Irish people called the city ‘Derry’ while the Britsh called ‘Londonderry’ hence the name Derry~Londonderry.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were visiting Ulster University’s Magee Campus.
Earlier this year, they spoke to nursing students from the University via video call and heard more about their experiences of studying during the pandemic, and of undertaking placements on the frontline of the COVID-19 response in Northern Ireland.
Today, the royal couple met some of those nursing students in person to hear how their studies are progressing since they spoke in February.
During the visit, they saw a specially designed simulated ambulance – the only one of its kind in the region – built on campus to train the very first-year group on the brand new BSc Hons Paramedic Science programme in Northern Ireland. The new programme supports the development of the paramedic profession in Northern Ireland and further afield.
The next agenda on the itinerary was a meeting with the first cohort of medical students accepted into the University’s new School of Medicine, established this year in response to the nationwide shortage in the medical workforce.
The new School will develop a new generation of doctors who will work in Northern Ireland and beyond, once their studies are completed. It has received a £1m investment and now boasts high-tech, high-spec facilities. The tour began with clinical skills demonstrations from the Medicine, Nursing & Paramedic students.
William and Catherine visited the campus zoo where they met with some cute guests. They saw a display of animals organized by local mobile zoo company KidzFarm, which regularly comes to the campus to help students deal with mental health and anxiety issues. Prince William was introduced to a snake, while the Duchess picked up a tarantula called Charlotte. From Belfast Telegraph,
“Kate then asked to hold the tarantula, asking what its name is. Told she is called Charlotte – the same as the royal couple’s daughter, Kate laughed: “Is she really?” As Charlotte started moving up Kate’s hand, William joked that the spider was animated by his wife’s outfit – a purple trouser suit by Emilia Wickstead. “Maybe she’s not so keen on purple, or she maybe thinks you’re a flower,” he said.”
If you remember, in 2020, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis had a short interview of David Attenborough, in which Princes Charlotte said,
‘Hello David Attenborough. I like spiders, do you like spiders too?’
The couple revealed that during the lockdown they acquired a lot of animals that were like therapy to them. While holding a python, The Duke revealed that the children are not going to believe that he held the snake in hand and Prince George will be upset ( I believe because he didn’t get the chance to hold the snake). In a zoom bingo call in 2020, The Duchess of Cambridge said about number 55 ”George would like this one — five and five, the snake’s alive.”
They also saw the Student Union event ‘Culture Shock’ where they joined students to understand their university experience outside of their studies and hear how such events are promoting an inclusive student body.
They played a couple of word games with students. They were quizzed on how to pronounce Irish names and learned some of the city’s colloquial phrases which have become world-famous thanks to the hit TV show Derry Girls.
Visiting Northern Ireland not trying Irish food and drinks, Nops! The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge sampled whiskey, wheaten bread, and Tayto crisps.
A beautiful photo of the couple at the University. Continuing from the Belfast Telegraph report,
Student union president Owen McClaskey and nursing student Abigail McGarvey hosted the couple during the visit.
Mr McClaskey said the visit had gone “great”, while Ms McGarvey said it had been an “incredible” experience to welcome the couple.
“They got a sample of Irish music, Irish names and really got stuck into it, as well as a wee Guinness, I think if there was another two hours in this tour, they would have stayed,” Mr McClaskey added.
The day at the University ended with a musical performance by the Students after that Prince William and The Duchess continued their day with a visit to the City of Derry Rugby Club.
At the Derry Rugby Club, The Duke and Duchess met with the players, coaches, and volunteers involved in the Sport Uniting Communities initiative between the Irish Football Association, the Ulster Gaelic Athletic Association, and Ulster Rugby aimed at promoting peace and reconciliation.
A visit to the sports facility and we don’t see William and Catherine competing in a friendly match is not possible.
There is a rumor going on Twitter that the visit could be a potentially three-day trip, but we do not know for the sure, Keep an eye on Twitter for the updates!
The Duchess of Cambridge is on a style mission this fall. Last night, she dazzled in a gorgeous golden gown.
Today she brought a power suit to the front.
The Duchess of Cambridge was wearing a purple Emilia Wickstead suit from the label’s Autumn-Winter 2021 collection. Thanks to Sophia on Twitter for the id and Lauren and Kate’s closet for further work on confirming the piece.
The purple suit featured a double-breasted jacket with a lapel collar, welt pockets, and self-covered buttons across the front and at the cuffs. It was described as, “Softly tailored to offer a structured yet ultimately feminine silhouette”. The jacket is paired with ankle-length slim-fit trousers crafted from a flannel. Shown above are the Dida jacket and Gus Trouser in grey. It looks like Catherine’s blazer is the custom version of this jacket.
Update: The Duchess of Cambridge was wearing Ralph Lauren Collection Cashmere Turtleneck.
Catherine was wearing her Emmy London Josie Block Heel Pointed Shoe.
She brought back her Jaeger Kate bag.
At the Derry Rugby Club, The Duchess of Cambridge swapped her blazer with Lululemon Define Jacket. Thanks to Emily Collins on Twitter for the id. The $118 jacket is available on the official Lululemon store in 8 different shades.
Catherine paired the jacket with black skinny trousers and her New Balance Vazee Transform Running Shoes.
With both outfits, she wore her Liv Thurlwell gold bobble hoops.
