Related Articles
The Prince of Wales made a young royal fan’s day this afternoon as he gave her a warm hug during his visit to Dorset.
William, 42, embraced young Natasha Gorry as he visited Bournemouth and Poole College while on his trip to the south of England, where was launching a new partnership between the Homewards programme, which he founded through the Royal Foundation, and Lloyds Banking Group, which aims to deliver homes in the region.
Meeting Natasha Gorry, 24, outside the College, the Prince of Wales chatted to the royal fan who appeared starstruck.
The future King then reached out to embrace Natasha, after which she seemed overwhelmed with joy.
‘Go on, give me a hug. So nice to see you but you’ve got some lessons to go to now. I’m going to get you in trouble for keeping you out of your lessons now. You’ve got a free period now? When’s lunch break? You’ve brought the sun out today, it’s lovely,’ he said.
She said afterwards: ‘I am so happy. He gave me a hug. I love it. I’m excited. It’s my first time. I told him what course I was doing. He’s an amazing guy.’
William arrived at Millennium House to officially announce the Homewards Activator partnership.
As part of the visit, which also saw him visit Christchurch and Bournemouth, William met people who have experienced homelessness after suffering from mental health struggles.
The Prince of Wales made a royal fan’s day during his visit to Dorset this afternoon as he shared a sweet hug with young girl
The royal fan, upon meeting William, appeared completely starstruck and held out her arms for the Prince to hug her
After receiving a warm embrace from the future King, Natasha appeared overwhelmed with joy
The Prince of Wales arrived in Poole, Dorset, this afternoon where he discussed a new partnership between Homewards and Lloyds Banking Group
There, he joined CEO of Lloyds Banking Group Charlie Nunn who showed him around the 11-bed housing scheme.
He also met with current residents supported by the organisation, who are being encouraged to develop skills that will help them live independently in safe and healthy spaces.
Residents at Millennium House are given their own support plan which aims to put them on the path to living independently in their own quarters.
Lloyds has pumped £50 million into the project, which will go towards small and medium-sized housing providers and charities in areas where Homewards operates.
It is run by Bournemouth Churches Housing Association (BCHA) and specifically supports people with mental health needs.
Elsewhere in his Dorset visit, father-of-three William will visit Bournemouth and Poole College where Homewards has focused its project to strengthen employment pathways for people at risk of experiencing homelessness in the area.
William’s solo visit comes just a few days after he and the Princess of Wales embarked upon their first joint engagement in over a year as they visited Pontypridd in Wales in early St David’s Day celebrations.
Kate, 43, rewore a chic scarlet Alexander McQueen coat – the same she had sported for her Together at Christmas carol service – layered over a checked Gucci skirt and black boots, while carrying a brown handbag. Later, she swapped her jacket over for a dark green blazer.
The mother-of-three appeared to go without her engagement ring, instead sporting an ‘eternity band’ set with diamonds and sapphires. To accessorise, she seemed to sport garnet charm hoops from Spells of Love and carried Mulberry’s Bayswater tote – in the shade Oak.
She styled her thick brunette locks in loose curls hanging down her shoulders. Meanwhile, William opted for dark trousers and a jacket, and carried official-looking documents under his arm.
William, 43, joined by Lloyds CEO Charlie Nunn, met a resident at Millennium House in Poole
William’s visit marked the launch of the Homewards Activator partnership which will help to launch new homes
Prince William met with trainee boat builder Daniel Matthews and got to work with some joining
Daniel imparted his expertise on William, who looked focused (and perhaps a little perplexed) ahead of giving it a go himself
Elsewhere in the visit, William sowed some seeds in a planter while chatting with residents at Millennium House
The royal got to work in the garden and opened the packet of seeds before planting them in the pot
The Prince of Wales’s visit marks his ongoing commitment to the cause of ending homelessness in the UK
The couple’s last visit together was in October 2023, with other planned engagements cancelled because of Kate’s shock cancer diagnosis; although they have both visited separately in recent months.
Their first public engagement saw them visit Pontypridd Market to meet local business owners and try their hand at making one of the country’s most celebrated exports – Welsh cakes. This is a delicious traditional sweet using flour, sugar, spices, butter, eggs and dried fruit which is then cooked in a pan and dusted with sugar.
The Princess is a particularly keen home baker, although William has previously admitted he is somewhat hopeless at it.
Pontypridd Market has been at the heart of the South Wales community since 1805 and is home to business selling everything from meat to fruit and vegetable, toys, books and textiles and boasts several cafes.
The couple toured the food hall, and visited The Welsh Cake Shop which has been serving the local population for more than 25 years.
It is also well known for its Bara Brith, a traditional Welsh fruit bread, and delivers both this and Welsh cakes to locations across the UK.
The royal couple donned aprons, and took the chance to bake the treats before handing out their successful efforts to market traders and customers.
Madison Conner, 19, said: ‘They were perfect, they were great, they were banging.’
The couple arrived and first chatted to butcher Kevin Kidner, 61, of KMG Poultry, before posing for selfies and talking flowers from children and customers waiting to greet the couple.
Arriving at The Welsh Cake Shop, Wills asked: ‘How dirty can you be? Flour everywhere?’
They were each given a mixture and handed a rolling pin and a demonstration by owner Theresa Conner.
Once the mixture was flat they each cut 12 circles and placed them in a pile.
Kate looked impressed at William’s efforts and said: ‘Those are so good. How did you do that?’
William joked: ‘Well I don’t know, my stunning bakery skills, Mary Berry taught me everything I need to know.’
Source link
