The Prince and Princess of Wales made their first visit to the nation since receiving their new titles.
Their day of engagements, on September 27th 2022, took them to Holyhead and Swansea.
Their first stop was Holyhead Marina, where the RNLI quarters are located. Many members of the public had gathered there to welcome their Prince and Princess, and 4-year-old Theo Crompton got the opportunity of a lifetime, as he was selected to present the Princess with a bouquet of pink flowers.
Only a few steps behind, Prince William was heard remarking that, in his school uniform, little Theo had on a smarter tie than his private secretary, Mr Jean Christophe Gray, who was heard laughingly reply: “Hire him now, Sir”.
The royal couple then received a tour of the lifeboat station, one of the oldest ones in Wales. They had a chance to chat with some of the people that have been rescued by the service, as well as crew members and volunteers.
The station is almost an institution within the Holyhead community, and the facility has received a grand total of 70 awards, making it clear how essential their work is.
The Prince and Princess of Wales then made a pit stop at Holyhead Marina Café and Pub , before taking the short walk to Holyhead Marine, a business producing all sorts of vessels.
Later in the day, the couple travelled to Swansea, in the southwest of Wales, where they visited the hub of St Thomas Church. They were welcomed by a crowd that also included school children and the church bells ringing.
Inside, the Prince and Princess were given a tour of the newly-refurbished church, before they were assigned a new helper to pack some bags for one of the Princess’ charities, Baby Basics.
Dressed in her traditional Welsh costume and a pair of Converse trainers, little two year old Charlotte proved to be a pro assistant for the two Royals, as she was seen dodging people to hand them items to put in the baby baskets.
St Thomas Church was redeveloped “as a hub to serve its community and city”, as the two plaques unveiled today read. Two plaques because the then-Prince of Wales was supposed to visit in February 2022, but had to cancel last minute due to Storm Eunice battering the whole coast.
Now that plaque will be brought home by the new Prince of Wales and gifted to King Charles as a reminder of the country he holds so dear. Meanwhile, the plaque commemorating today’s visit will stay in the Church as a record for posterity of this royal visit.
While being escorted outside the hub, little Charlotte gifted the Princess a bouquet of white flowers and greenery.
The Prince and Princess of Wales then went on a walkabout and met the members of the public that were gathered outside St Thomas.
This visit was particularly special, for a number of reasons: not only it was their first time being in Wales since assuming their new titles, the couple also spent their first three and a half years as a married couple on Anglesey. It was also their first family home with Prince George.
Prince William’s first official engagement was also in theWelsh capital, Cardiff; he was 8 years old at the time, and he was accompanied by his mother, the last person to hold the title of Princess of Wales.
Before the couple even arrived in Holyhead, it was reported that they plan on going back to Wales before Christmas; there are no plans to hold a massive investiture ceremony for Prince William, as was done for his father, but the couple is said to want to focus their new role on building a strong relationship with the people of Wales.
