The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited Wales to mark St. David’s day. Wales holds a very special place for the couple. William and Catherine lived in Anglesey after their marriage in 2011 for more than 2 years.
They rented a farmhouse on the Bodorgan Estate situated near the Irish Sea in the southwestern part of the island. The Duchess described her living in Wales as “I love our life in Anglesey. It’s just nice to be outdoors and away from the city. As much as I love London, it’s nice to get away”.
During the visit to Wales, The Royal couple, who will become The Prince and Princess of Wales one day, learned about the role of small businesses in local communities – from farm to market, to the table – and how young people’s opportunities are being improved by charities and engaging projects across Wales.
St. David’s Day is commemorated every year on March 01st – the date of Saint David’s death in 589 AD. St. David is the patron saint of Wales. The day is marked in Wales with traditional festivities including wearing daffodils and leeks – that are recognized symbols of Wales and Saint David respectively, eating traditional Welsh food including cawl and Welsh rarebit. Women wear traditional Welsh dress. Many cities and towns across Wales including Cardiff, Swansea, and Aberystwyth also have parades throughout the day.
As always, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge received a very warm welcome in Wales. A huge crowd of cheering royal fans waving their flags came together to meet the Royal couple. Catherine has always loved the royal walkabouts. The members of the royal family have joked that she spent so much time talking to the people during the public greetings.
After almost two years, it was really nice to see the Royal engagements going back to their normal triumph.
The day began with William and Catherine touring a Pant farm in Llanvetherine, Abergavenny where owners Gary and Jess Yeomans produce milk from goats used by local cheesemakers. The country couple at heart, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were in their element during their time at the farm.
They were welcomed by cute goats on the farms. This was a second royal visit to the famous farm.
Prince Charles of Wales has also visited the same farm in 2002. You can experience the same royal treatment at the cottage available on the farm to rent.
Representatives of the wider farming sector, both in Wales and the UK, met William and Catherine to discuss the importance of agriculture to the local economy. They heard about the challenges and opportunities faced by the sector and how the farm works with local industries and services. After the visit, Kensington Palace said, “Working with local businesses, promoting local produce and sustainable practices you can really see how farms like this are the lifeblood of the community.“
Then they visited the Abergavenny town’s market to learn first-hand about the significance of local suppliers in the local economy. The historical Abergavenny Market is in the heart of the town and is always bustling with locals and visitors. The hall is famed for its decorations lovingly handcrafted by Peak in Crickhowell for the Abergavenny Food Festival.
While greeting well-wishers during a royal walkabout in the Welsh town of Abergavenny on Tuesday morning, one of the first questions they were asked by local Liz Brewer was: “How are the children?” William replied, “The children are very well, thank you.”
The royal, 39, went on to reveal the sweet tradition the couple shares with their three kids — 8-year-old Prince George, 6-year-old Princess Charlotte, and 3-year-old Prince Louis — before the couple leaves home on royal duty.
“They are always asking us where we are going,” William shared. “And we show them where we are on the map.”
During the visit, William also revealed that there is a bit of rivalry in the Cambridge household when it comes to Rugby but Prince George is following him in supporting the Welsh team.
About the town market visit, Kensington Palace tweeted, “It’s great to see the benefits first-hand that local businesses receive through their communities. The importance of community for local business is so vital as we met and heard from third, fourth, and even fifth generations of family businesses welcoming customers.“
About the Royal visit, Abergavenny Market’s Manager, Peggy Romer said: “It has been a great opportunity to promote the market in the local community and further afield, and highlight the fantastic local traders, their products, and their stories.” Monmouthshire County Council’s Chief Executive Officer, Paul Matthews said: “It has been a real pleasure to be able to welcome Their Royal Highnesses to the market, which is at the heart of the community here in Abergavenny. The opportunity to reinforce the Shop Local message locally and nationally has been much appreciated by everyone involved. I would especially like to thank all the little ones from Cantref Primary School and Flying Start whose enthusiastic greeting brought smiles to the royal couple’s faces.”
The Royal duo ended the day at Blaenavon Hwb – a community-focused youth center in Blaenavon – a town and community in Torfaen county borough in Wales. Like many South Wales valley towns, Blaenavon has had to overcome economic hardship in the last 30 years. The Hwb aims to help the next generation reach its potential by providing a space for learning and supporting vulnerable young people. About the visit, Kensington Palace said,
While the decline of the mining industry has led to some of the challenges faced today, Blaenavon’s history is an important part of its identity, with parts of the town and surrounding area recognized in 2000 as a World Heritage Site – and example of how the 18th-19th Century iron and coal industry in Wales drove the Industrial Revolution. The Heritage Site, in partnership with the Blaenavon Hwb, uses the power of culture to empower young people’s voices and helps to promote the area’s rich history through the World Heritage Youth Page 2 of 5 Ambassador program.
World Heritage Youth Ambassadors get involved in organizing events, managing workshops, and building networks with other World Heritage Sites around the world. Their Royal Highnesses met a number of these young ambassadors, before travelling to the World Heritage Site visitor centre to learn more about the history of Blaenavon and the importance of the Ambassador programme. They also learned how young people are celebrating the area’s historic significance in driving the Industrial Revolution through iron and coal production.
William and Catherine tried their hand at Welsh cake making with young members of Blaenavon Hwb in Torfaen county and showed their billiard skills.
To mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge also planted a tree as part of the Queen’s Green Canopy. The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) is a unique tree-planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 which invites people from across the United Kingdom to “Plant a Tree for the Jubilee”.
With a focus on planting sustainably, the QGC will encourage the planting of trees to create a legacy in honor of The Queen’s leadership of the Nation, which will benefit future generations. Her Majesty and The Prince of Wales planted the first Jubilee tree on the grounds of Windsor Castle in March, to mark the launch of the QGC.
The Duchess of Cambridge was wearing her Seeland Woodcock Advanced Women’s Jacket with a green high-neck jumper and black jeans.
Catherine paired it with her Hugo Boss Scarf and
her Madewell Blundstone® Super 550 Chelsea Boots.
Then the Duchess had a quick outfit change.
Later on, The Duchess of Cambridge changed into her green Sportmax Long Belted Coat.
with what looks to be her Aquatalia Rouge Boots in black.
The Duchess was wearing Spells of Love Medium Twist Hoops. Thanks to mari_who on Twitter for the id.
There are many reports circulating in the Royal media that The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are looking for a new school for Prince George in Berkshire and that will lead to a new country home for the Cambridge family in the Windsor area.
PS: The Post is in progress will be updated soon!
