Kate and William traveled to Wales on September 27, 2022. This is the first time the couple has been to the country since being granted the titles Prince and Princess of Wales.
With the death of Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles declared that Prince William and Kate would assume the titles of Prince and Princess of Wales. These titles had not been used by a couple since Charles and the late Princess Diana, who divorced in 1996. Camilla, now queen consort, chose not to adopt the title when she married Charles.
Kate and William may still be privately mourning the loss of their grandmother and sovereign but are stoically continuing their royal work. This would surely make the late queen proud. The pair met with different groups around Wales to learn about key charitable organizations’ valuable work.
Their first stop was the island of Anglesey. This is located off the mainland's northwest coast. There the couple met with the crew and volunteers of RNLI Holyhead Lifeboat Station. This station is historical as it is one of the oldest lifeboat stations on the coast.
The next stop for the royal couple was the city of Swansea. Swansea is located on the coast in southwest Wales and is the second-largest city in the country. There they visited St. Thomas Church, which was recently redeveloped. This church is a major hub in the local community and helps many people.
Many Welsh well-wishers came out to see Kate and William. Sian Price told the BBC, "It's a privilege to witness part of this, their first tour as Prince and Princess of Wales. We couldn't get down to London recently, so it's great they are coming here."
Sandra Armstrong gave Kate a rose brooch because she believes "she'll be a fantastic Princess of Wales.” She went on to say, "They are inspiring. It felt not real to meet them."
Although this is the first time in the country since being granted the new titles, Kate and William are no strangers to Wales. The couple’s first home was in the country in Anglesey. It is where they spent their first months as parents. This makes Wales the first home of Prince George.
The titles Prince and Princess of Wales are not without controversy. One Welsh politician, Senedd member Cefin Campbell, called them "divisive." He questions if in the modern era "we need a monarchy at all."
Many people agree with Cefin. There is a petition to get rid of the title Prince of Wales as well. It has reached over 34,000 signatures online.
Not every Welsh politician is a complete naysayer to the titles. Victoria Atkins, Conservative former prisons minister, said that while she "wouldn't want to get in the way of Wales having that conversation," she has "great hope for our monarchy." She believes that following the death of Queen Elizabeth there has been "an enormous sense of unity across the United Kingdom," and she hopes to see Wales continue to play its part.
For their part, Kate and William are said to have a "deep affection for Wales." Kensington Palace released a statement about the new titles: "The prince and princess look forward to celebrating Wales's proud history and traditions as well as a future that is full of promise. They will seek to live up to the proud contribution that members of the Royal family have made in years past."
