The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will take on a day of engagements in Blackpool on Wednesday, 6 March, Kensington Palace announced yesterday.
The couple will visit the seaside resort to witness “a series of innovative projects that are focused on investment and regeneration.”
The town, which was a popular Victorian holiday destination, has experienced its share of issues in terms of drugs and crime in recent years. A key goal of the day of the engagements will be learning how Blackpool “is leading the way in tackling some of the social and mental health problems faced by people in Britain today” and overcoming these challenges.
The first stop for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will be one of England’s most famous landmarks, Blackpool Tower. William and Catherine will learn “about the town’s recent history, the challenges, and the investment and regeneration efforts that are currently underway.”
The pair will conduct a walkabout after they depart Blackpool Tower, with the location sure to be prime for photo ops. The public meet-and-greet will take place on the city’s famous Comedy Carpet on the promenade, one of the largest pieces of public art ever commissioned in the UK. The 1880 square-metre “carpet” features jokes, song lyrics, and catchphrases from 850 writers and comedians.
Next, they’ll head to Blackpool Central Library where the Duke and Duchess will split off to take part in separate discussions relevant to their interests.
The Duchess of Cambridge will meet with those involved in Blackpool’s ‘A Better Start’ programme, discussing “the impact of long-term investment in mothers, fathers, and children in their early years.”
Meanwhile, the Duke will meet people impacted by issues such as homelessness and addiction, as well as those working to make a difference in combatting mental health issues locally. Additionally, Prince William will chat with those involved with emergency services and first responders to discuss how they are helping people with mental health.
The last engagement of the day will take place at Revoe Park, a community garden and park in a deprived area that has been revamped thanks to the A Better Start programme. The park offers activities for children to learn about gardening and the outdoors, and also gives a space for parents, especially men, to discuss mental health issues.
The Cambridge family is said to have spent the half-term school break at Anmer Hall, their country home in Norfolk. With school back in session yesterday, they’ll be resuming a normal schedule of royal engagements.
The trip to Blackpool follows a busy two days for the Duke and Duchess. Monday Prince William will visit Foreign Office to open the Mayhew Theatre, a new state-of-the-art learning facility, and Tuesday is the 50th-anniversary celebration for Prince Charles’s investiture as Prince of Wales.
