SUPPORT OUR JOURNALISM: Please consider donating to keep our website running and free for all - thank you!

Prince & Princess of Wales

Prince William spends the day with faith-based organisations in Scotland

The Duke of Cambridge spent Sunday visiting projects supported by the Church of Scotland. Just prior to a visit to an elderly care home, he visited a workshop that supports vulnerable people through social enterprise.

William visited the Grassmarket Community Project, a project created by the Greyfriars Kirk and the Grassmarket Mission. During the visit, he learned how the Project supports people who live with mental and physical health problems, and those with disabilities, learning difficulties, abuse, substance misuse, poverty, and social isolation.

William tried his hand at furniture-making, which uses the wood from recycled pews and other sustainable resources, and met with community members who use the Project’s services.

“If somebody hadn’t told me it was Prince William, the future king, to me he was just like a regular guy,” said John, a community member, in an interview with Town & Country. “He’d obviously done his research, which is good as it shows his interest.”

The Project’s CEO, Jonny Kinross, said that they presented William with gifts for his entire family. “We made him a lovely little gift set, something for all the kids and something for the Duchess.”

Each of William’s children received a tartan Greyfriars Bobby dog personalised with their names, and Kate received a fabric brooch fashioned in the shape of a rose and made with Greyfriars tartan fabric.

“It was a bit nerve-wracking to watch him. That was the nice thing though, he took part, he participated, he was up for it,” said Kinross about William joining in on the furniture-making. While participating, William heard about how the Project provides opportunities for apprenticeships, volunteering, training and employment for the members of the community in need of support.

“He comes across as somebody who most people would get along with, and I’m sure that will help him as he goes forward.”

“We’re a very small standalone charity,” said Catherine Jones, the Project’s Director of Social Enterprise. “It’s good for getting our name out there so that people know we exist.”

About author

Jess Ilse is the Assistant Editor at Royal Central. She specialises in the British, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish Royal Families and has been following royalty since Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee. Jess has provided commentary for media outlets in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Jess works in communications and her debut novel THE MAJESTIC SISTERS will publish in Fall 2024.