On Tuesday, the Prince and Princess of Wales visited Cardiff to mark the beginning of Black History Month and the 75th anniversary of the HMT Empire Windrush’s arrival in the United Kingdom.
Arriving for their first engagement, a visit to the Grange Pavilion, where the future King made a big laugh by asking, “Who’s pinching my bottom?” to a group of elderly men and women, William and Kate were greeted with warmth in the capital of Wales.
Numerous schoolchildren waved Welsh flags in greeting to the couple, obviously excited to see the Prince and Princess in person.
The mother-of-three, who is naturally good with kids, enchanted the young ones as she went by and said hello.
As always, Kate looked stunning and chose to wear a second power suit, this one by Holland Cooper. She is quickly making it her signature look.
Her brunette hair was parted in the middle and worn in loose waves.
When the royals finished their welcome walkabout, they waved to schoolchildren.
Members of Black History Cymru 365, the Ethnic Minority Youth Forum for Wales, and Windrush Cymru Elders were presented to the royals. These groups meet on a regular basis at the Grange Pavilion, a community center that was formerly a bowls pavilion.
The facility provides members with job and training opportunities in addition to a community café.
William and Kate had a conversation with members of the Windrush Cymru Elders, a group that was founded in 2017 with the goal of celebrating the accomplishments of the Windrush generation and advancing understanding of the needs and concerns of elders from ethnic minorities.
The couple was informed about the elders’ personal experiences and the positive effects that the Windrush Generation has had on the Welsh community.
Roma Taylor, the 79-year-old founder of Windrush Cymru Elders, was among the first several women to embrace William. She chuckled, “It was a long one,” following their embrace.
A member of King Charles’ security detail informed Ms. Taylor that she had to release his hand after she held it for an extended period of time during his visit to the Senedd last year.
As they posed for a picture, William asked, “Who’s pinching my bottom?” in a joke that was well received by the group.
As he crossed the room, the future King continued to hug people. According to 65-year-old Karen Lucock, “I said, ‘Please can I have a hug?'” You can, he replied. It surprised me that he gave me a long, tight hug. I am a little taken aback.”
No kissing, William joked to the group. Kissing is where I draw the line.”
Young people from the Ethnic Minority Youth Forum, a group of 11 to 25 year olds who aim to be a voice of change for young people from minority ethnic groups in Wales, were also introduced to William and Kate.
“I apologize; there is a lot of conversation going on next door. William added, “Hugging too,” as they moved into the next room.
Speaking with young people from the Somali community, which makes up a sizable portion of Cardiff’s Grangetown district, was an opportunity for the royals. They learned about the community work that Cardiff Bay Warriors FC and Wales Somaliland Youth Links members are doing, ranging from football to youth unemployment.
At the Grange Pavilion, William and Kate also vigorously participated in a game of table tennis.
Two teenage Somali girls were warned by the Prince, “You’ve got to watch her serve – she has a slice on the serve,” following Kate’s winning shot.
The royal couple appeared to be enjoying themselves as they played, despite their well-known rivalry.
17-year-old Eleeza Khan commented, “It was really laid back and engaging. Both of us and them got involved in it.”
Meanwhile, 18-year-old Amira Begum said, “They were quite good—surprisingly good.”
The royals received posies from Akachi, age six, Humzah, age six, Ayla-May, age seven, and Mazin, age eight, before they left.
William and Kate’s next stop on their itinerary was Fitzalan High School, where they learned about the research students had been doing on Black history and the Windrush generation.
In one of Wales’ most disadvantaged and diverse communities, Fitzalan High School serves 70% of students who speak English as a second language. A number of students are the direct descendants of the Windrush Cymru Elders.
To help students reach their full potential, the school opened a new building in September that has a variety of cutting-edge amenities.
William and Kate addressed a group of sixth-form students who are pursuing vocational courses like science, technology, and sports in addition to their A Levels.
After being given a tour of the school’s recently constructed immersion room, the couple attended a history lesson that focused on life in Tiger Bay, a significant Cardiff neighborhood that was home to the Windrush generation.
Following this, William and Kate got to know instructors and students engaged in a variety of school initiatives, such as the gardening project, which teaches young students how to start plants and food from scratch.
The royals took a moment to view the school’s newly designed entrance gate, which was created by students and London designer Lara Sparey, before they left. The gate, which is covered in a variety of symbols and artwork that represent the school and Wales, embodies the question, “What does Fitzalan Mean to Us?”
Kate waved her hands in a heart shape to indicate how much she had enjoyed her visit to the school.
