The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been carrying out engagements in Londonderry, marking their first official visit to this region of Northern Ireland.
Their first engagement came as a visit to Ulster University’s Magee Campus, where they met with students, nurses and small friendly animals.
On their first engagement of the afternoon, The Royal Highnesses chatted with some of the nursing students they’d previously spoken to via video call earlier this year.
During that Zoom call in February, William and Kate learned about the nursing program at the campus and how it had been adapted during the pandemic; and spoke with students whose placements came at medical centres on the frontlines of Northern Ireland’s pandemic response.
In the Zoom call, Kate told the students that “Nursing is one of the most trusted professions in the country, so you couldn’t have chosen a better career choice and it’s needed now more than ever.”
Following their conversations with the nursing students, William and Kate then watched a simulated ambulance that was specially built on campus to help train students taking the Bachelor of Science Honours programme, Paramedic Science.
The course was only officially launched last week and was created to support the training of paramedics in Northern Ireland and elsewhere.
The royal couple also visited the campus petting zoo, designed to promote student wellbeing.
Here, Prince William was introduced to a snake, while the Duchess picked up a tarantula called Charlotte.
Neither William nor Kate seemed fazed by the small creatures who were on their best behaviour for the royal visitors.
Their final engagement on campus came with a visit to the Student Union building and the ‘Culture Shock’ event the students were hosting. The ‘Culture Shock’ event is meant to foster friendships and teach each other about their lives outside of school to cultivate a more inclusive student body.
William and Kate learned more about the students during the event, and also sampled traditional Northern Ireland foods and beverages: wheaten bread, Tayto crisps, and whiskey. They also learned local expressions from the students, and listened as a few performed on traditional Northern Ireland instruments.
The royal visit to Derry continues with an engagement at the City of Derry Rugby Club.
The couple wrote on their social media accounts: “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 organisations working across communities.”
