How William and Kate started preparing to be prince and princess of Wales even before marriage
ANGLESEY, WALES: Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday, September 8, her eldest son Prince Charles III ascended the throne and made Prince William his new heir.
During his first television address as the King, Charles III announced that his son Prince William would now be Prince of Wales and his wife Catherine Middleton would become the Princess of Wales. The couple may have officially become the prince and princess of Wales just a few days ago, but the preparation for their roles started way back even before their marriage.
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The position of Prince of Wales has been controversial since the start. When King Charles III was announced to be the prince at the age of nine, there was a fear that violent nationalists would disrupt his investiture ceremony in 1969; fortunately nothing like that happened. But the chances of Prince William and Kate facing any such controversy are very low as they share a really special bond with the country. The seed of the bond between the royal couple and the country was brewed when the royal couple decided to move to Anglesey in 2010.
While William worked with RAF valley, the couple decided to rent a farmhouse in the largely Welsh-speaking hamlet of Bodorgan, on the South-West corner of the island. The couple rented the farmhouse from long-time royal confidant Sir George Meyrick and his wife Jean. The royal couple used to enjoy their time at their ‘Big House’ by watching the mind-blowing scenery from above the Irish Sea. One member of staff previously said, "She loved it in here. She spent a lot of time here, especially in the lighting and bathroom departments." This house helped them strengthen their bond with the locals. Williams often used to invite his RAF valley colleagues to enjoy Wednesday night suppers of shepherd’s pie.
Taking another step forward, in 2011, Kate attended her first public engagement in the Welsh town. The couple, then engaged for two months, greeted the crowd who gathered around to meet the young royal love birds. The couple carried out their royal duties and spoke to the royal well-wishers who wished them for their upcoming wedding.
The couple added another chapter in the history of their bond with the country, by making Wales their first family home after tying the knot in April 2011 and welcoming their first baby boy, Prince George. When the couple announced their plans to leave in September 2013, William spoke passionately of his time on the island off the North-West coast of Wales. "I know that I speak for Catherine when I say that I have never in my life known somewhere as beautiful and as welcoming as Anglesey," he said.
The couple, who are trying to give their children as normal a life as they can, decided their children Prince George and Princess Charlotte are going to make their first royal engagement in Cardiff. Prince William and Kate were joined by Prince George and Princess Charlotte as they brought the Platinum Jubilee celebrations to Wales while visiting concert rehearsals at Cardiff Castle. This was an attempt of the couple to introduce their children to the beauty of the country, which became their first family home.
However, a source said the new princess of Wales appreciates the history associated with the role but will understandably want to look to the future as she creates her own path. The royal source said, "The couple are focused on deepening the trust and respect of the people of Wales over time. The Prince and Princess of Wales will approach their roles in the modest and humble way they’ve approached their work previously."