The Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Catherine, made their first 2023 visit to Wales today. The visit came ahead of St. David’s day – the feast day for St. David, Wales’ patron saint. William and Catherine receive the title of The Prince and Princess of Wales in September 2022 after the demise of Queen Elizabeth II. This was the Royal couple’s second visit to Wales as the new Prince and Princess of Wales first being in September 2022.
The first stop of the day was the Brynawel Rehabilitation Centre, where the Prince and Princess of Wales saw a special initiative that will help create an outdoor space for growing vegetables and encourage better mental health in those struggling with the effects of drug and alcohol addiction. Their Royal Foundation is supporting social enterprise Life at No. 27 to help the organization scale up its plan for therapy gardens that aid well-being.
View this post on Instagram
Ahead of the visit, Kensington Palace shared on social media, “In our second Community Impact Day we’re launching a collaboration between The Royal Foundation and Life at No.27, creating allotments and therapy gardens to support mental health and wellbeing in communities across South Wales.” The new garden will include a collection of allotments for people to have their own space to learn and grow their own produce. It will sit alongside a communal sensory and herbal garden, a mud kitchen and an interactive learning space.
Amanda Berry, Chief Executive Officer of The Royal Foundation, said in a statement, “Their Royal Highnesses are passionate about creating a lasting impact in the communities they visit, playing an instrumental role in bringing together local stakeholders to amplify the work of organizations and ensure support reaches those who need it most.”
The work to create the Life at No. 27 therapy allotments and garden at Brynawel will take approximately six months to complete. The garden is generously supported by Social Farms & Gardens, Homebase – Growing Responsibly, Egin, Crowdfunder and BA Better World Community Live Match Fund and Bridgend College.
Near the site’s current garden, William spoke to recovery manager Claire Holloway, and trustees Marc Penny and Dai McBride. They were also greeted by a therapy dog, a seven-year-old Great Dane, Ragnar. Stroking Ragnar, William commented on the dog’s ‘big ears’, while Kate said: ‘He must be very popular.’
Hello! mag wrote,
Kate was then invited to plant some ‘Sweet William’ seeds – and seeing the name of the flowers, William couldn’t help but laugh. Volunteer gardener Vanessa Townsend helped Kate and told her: “They will flower in two years. I’ll make sure you get some.”
As the royals prepared to leave, two-year-old Cora Phillips presented Kate a bunch of daffodils. Cora’s mother Michelle Phillips, from Llanharan, said: “Oh my goodness, I did not expect that in a million years.”
Turning to her daughter, she said: “We just met a Princess. We’re never going to forget that.”
The second stop of the day was Aberavon Leisure & Fitness Centre. The Prince and Princess of Wales heard about the importance of sport and exercise in boosting mental health. The centre was opened in 2016 and includes a large indoor sports hall
The Prince and Princess of Wales took part in a spin class today – Kate joking about having to do it in a skirt and heels.
But she still beat her husband in the 45-second race and was awarded a gold cup as winner of the Tour de Aberavon! pic.twitter.com/7luvgipK2Y— Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) February 28, 2023
At the centre, The Royal couple spent time with young people and Welsh professional athletes, including paralympic discus thrower Harrison Walsh and sprinter Hannah Brier.
Before they left the couple undertook a walkabout outside the leisure centre and were gifted potted daffodils 🌼 #StDavidsDay pic.twitter.com/yCjsC4eQj9
— Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) February 28, 2023
Before leaving there was a small walkabout outside the centre.
The last stop of the itinerary was the headquarters of the Wales Air Ambulance. Ahead of the visit, The Prince of Wales became the patron of Air Ambulance. William himself was an Air Ambulance and an RAF search and rescue helicopter pilot before becoming a full-time royal in 2017.
Today at the Air Ambulance headquarters, the Royal couple met with emergency workers, volunteers and supporters to hear about their recent operations across Wales.
Heading towards What The Princess of Wales wore – Catherine was looking as always elegant and graceful. Her choice of day was dominated by white colour. The Princess of Wales wore a white coat and a white turtleneck.
The silhouette of the coat looks like an Alexander McQueen design but there is no confirmation. The turtleneck also remains unidentified.
Catherine wore a Zara Houndstooth Tweed Midi Skirt.
After more than a decade we saw the return of Heavenly Necklaces Diamond and Pearl Earrings.
The Princess of Wales carried her Mulberry Small Amberley Crossbody Black Soft Printed Croc bag.
