Prince William revealed on a trip to Wales to celebrate St David’s Day that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are getting their children involved in farming.
The future Prince and Princess of Wales were on their way to a goat farm in Llanvetherine, near Abergavenny, where they told how Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis had assisted with their animals during half-term.
The royal couple went on a tour of Pant Farm, where Gary and Jess Yeomans have been producing goat milk for a local cheesemaker for over two decades.
The royal couple cooed over some five-week-old goats in a barn after arriving about 20 minutes late due to bad weather in London, with one eager to nibble on the future King’s finger as he stroked them. “Ow! He laughed, “That definitely got my finger there.” “At the back, they have slightly larger teeth!”
The Duke was also told about how they were following in the footsteps of the Prince of Wales, who visited Gary and Jess at the farm in 2002 for tea and Welsh Cakes.
“They appear to be in very good health, the goats,” William said of the animals. Coats that are extremely glossy.”
William and Kate tweeted after their visit to the farm: “At this lovely family-run farm, promoting local produce and sustainable practices, I saw firsthand the benefits that local businesses receive through their communities.
“This #StDavidsDay, I’m learning about the importance of agriculture to people in rural communities in Wales.
“Working with local businesses, promoting local produce, and promoting sustainable practices, it’s clear that farms like this are vital to the community.”
In 2014, the Duke studied agricultural management at Cambridge University, but it appears that the Duchess has farming in her blood as well.
Kate said to her hosts, “When I was researching my ancestors, I discovered that one of my forefathers was a rare breed goat farmer. I’ll have to investigate which one it was. It was shortly after World War I.”
For her visit to the farm, the Duchess wore her trusty Seeland jacket with black jeans and brown Blundstone ankle boots in a casual outfit. Kate wore a red scarf in honor of the Welsh flag, and both she and the Duke wore daffodil pins, the country’s symbol.
The Duchess also wore new Spells of Love twisted hoop earrings, which cost £60.
Later, William and Kate went on their first joint walkabout since the Covid-19 pandemic began, and they were greeted by a cheering crowd outside Abergavenny Market.
The royal visitors were entertained by 90 students from Cantref Primary School, many of whom were dressed in traditional Welsh attire for St David’s Day.
Flowers and a box of Welsh cakes were presented to the couple to take home, but one cheeky schoolboy asked the future King to share them. “I’d love to share them with you,” William joked, “but there aren’t enough for all of you!”
As they left the market, crowds greeted the Cambridges, who stopped to chat with some children who presented Kate with a bouquet of daffodils.
William and Kate posted on social media after their visit to Abergavenny Market: “This #StDavidsDay, it’s great to see firsthand the benefits that local businesses receive through their communities in Wales.
“Produce comes from all over the local area at Abergavenny Market, including the lovely family-run Pant Farm, which we visited earlier today.
“We met and heard from third, fourth, and even fifth generations of family businesses welcoming customers, demonstrating the importance of community for local businesses.”
The Duke and Duchess then paid a visit to Blaenavon Hwb, a community-based youth centre that supports over 600 young people in the area.
William and Kate met with some of the charity’s 11 to 25 year old clients to hear about their experiences and to try their hand at making Welsh cakes.
The Hwb aims to help the next generation fulfill their potential by providing space for classes and leisure activities, as well as supporting vulnerable and care-experienced young people. Blaenavon, situated on the edge of the South Wales valleys, has suffered economic hardship over the past 30 years due to the decline of the mining industry, and the Hwb aims to help the next generation fulfil their potential by providing space for classes and leisure activities and supporting vulnerable and care-experienced young people.
They also learned about how young people are commemorating the area’s historic significance in iron and coal production, which fueled the Industrial Revolution.
Blaenavon and its environs were designated as a World Heritage Site in 2000, and the site partnered with the Hwb to create the World Heritage Youth Ambassador program, which uses the voices of young people to promote the area’s rich history.
Before going to the visitor center to learn more, the Duke and Duchess met with some of the young ambassadors and learned how they organize events, manage workshops, and build networks with other World Heritage Sites around the world.
William and Kate also paid tribute to the Queen by “planting a tree for the Jubilee” in Blaenavon as part of Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee initiative, The Queen’s Green Canopy.
