The Prince and Princess of Wales have visited Wales to meet different communities across the nation and learn about the work of key charitable organisations.
The Prince and Princess have a deep affection for Wales, having made their first family home in Anglesey, and have thoroughly enjoyed previous visits and the warmth and kindness shown by the Welsh people.
The day started on Anglesey, where Their Royal Highnesses visited RNLI Holyhead Lifeboat Station, where they met crew, volunteers and some of those who have been supported by their local unit.
Holyhead is one of the three oldest lifeboat stations on the Welsh coast and has a remarkable history of bravery, having received 70 awards for gallantry.
The Prince and Princess then took the short walk to Holyhead Marine and Café Bar where they were able to meet local people including representatives of small businesses and organisations, such as the Coastguard and Sea Cadets.
The next stop was Swansea, where Their Royal Highnesses visited St Thomas’ Church, a re-developed church in the city which supports people in the local area.
Over the last two years the church has been transformed into a thriving community hub and is home to a vast array of services including:
- A foodbank that supports over 200 people per week
- Swansea Baby Basics which distribute essential items for vulnerable mothers across the city such as toiletries and clothes
- Facilities for the homeless including food, showers and toilets
- A not-for-profit café and community training kitchen
- A surplus food distribution network which collects food from supermarkets at the end of each day and distributes it from the church to prevent food waste and to help end food poverty.
As part of their visit, The Prince and Princess met those volunteering at the church across different initiatives including Baby Basics and the foodbank.
The Princess of Wales has previously worked with Baby Banks and in the summer of 2020 brought together nineteen British brands and retailers to donate over 10,000 new items to more than 40 baby banks nationwide, operated by Baby Basics, Little Village, and AberNecessities. Her Royal Highness has visited a number of baby banks across the UK, including in London, Sheffield and West Norfolk where she has spent time speaking with families about their experiences of using their local baby bank services as well as helping unload donations.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are looking forward to spending more time in Wales over the coming months and years, taking the time to strengthen their relationship with communities in all parts of Wales.
