Prince and Princess of Wales visit nation for first time since gaining titles

Theo Crompton was among the crowds greeting William and Kate at the local RNLI lifeboat station in Holyhead
Michael Howie27 September 2022

The Princess of Wales was handed a bouquet of flowers by a young schoolboy as she and William returned to work with a visit to Anglesey following the end of official mourning over the Queen’s death.

The couple met an extremely excited Theo Crompton on their visit to Holyhead on Tuesday afternoon.

The four-year-old was among the crowds greeting William and Kate at the local RNLI lifeboat station, where they met the crew, volunteers and some of those who have previously been rescued by the team. It is one of the oldest lifeboat stations on the Welsh coast and, across the years, members have received a total of 70 awards for gallantry.

The Prince and Princess of Wales are visiting the nation for the first time since taking up their titles.

The Prince And Princess Of Wales Visit Wales
William, Prince of Wales looks on as his wife Catherine is presented with a posy of flowers by four-year-old Theo Crompton
Getty Images

The royal couple had promised to visit at the earliest opportunity following the death of the Queen, and return hoping to begin “deepening the trust and respect” they have with the people of Wales.

Holyhead is only a half-hour drive from the four-bedroom farmhouse the prince and princess rented as newlyweds on the Isle of Anglesey, or Ynys Mon, between 2010 and 2013 when William was an RAF search and rescue helicopter pilot.

Having made their first home together in Wales is part of why they say they hold such a “deep affection” for the country.

It is also where they raised their eldest child, Prince George, for the first few months of his life.

William’s first royal engagement, aged eight, was in the Welsh capital of Cardiff with his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.

Prince and Princess of Wales visit to Wales

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After leaving Holyhead, they were set to travel to St Thomas Church in Swansea which has transformed over the last two years into a community hub.

The church now provides vital services to hundreds of people in the city such as a not-for-profit cafe and facilities for the homeless including food, showers and toilets.

The last official visit the pair made to Wales was as Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to Cardiff Castle in June, where rehearsals for the Platinum Jubilee concert were taking place.

It was Prince George and his sister Princess Charlotte’s first official outing in the country and the family were greeted by hundreds of well-wishers.

The siblings have not joined their parents on Tuesday’s visit as both are in school.

William and Kate will now be making more regular visits to Wales as part of their roles as prince and princess, and are expected back in the country before Christmas.

However sources close to the couple have confirmed there are still no plans for an investiture ceremony.

Prince Charles: The Prince of Wales Investiture Ceremony in 1969

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When an investiture does take place, it is unlikely to reflect the scale of the ceremony held for the then Prince Charles at Caernarfon Castle in 1969, with William and Kate thought to want a more low key event.

A spokesperson for the prince and princess said: “Right now they are focused on deepening the trust and respect they have with the people of Wales over time.”

William and Kate have spoken of wanting to use their position to advocate for the people of Wales and showcase the country to the world.

In a statement, they said they would “do their part to support the aspirations of the Welsh people and to shine a spotlight on both the challenges and opportunities in front of them”.

Adding that they would serve as Prince and Princess of Wales “with humility and great respect”.

The move to make them Prince and Princess of Wales following the death of the Queen has caused some controversy, and a petition calling for the British monarchy to end the use of the title has so far gathered over 35,000 signatures.

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