Princess Kate Playful Banter During Wales Visit Leaves Royal Fans in Stitches
The Prince and Princess of Wales have enjoyed an action-packed afternoon of abseiling on a trip to South Wales – and Kate couldn’t resist a cheeky quip.
William and Kate headed to the Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team headquarters in Merthyr Tydfil before they socialise with climbers and community members at the nearby Dowlais Rugby Club.
The volunteer-run organisation, which covers the central area of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park including Pen y Fan, is celebrating its 60th birthday.
To mark the milestone, William and Kate dressed casually in jeans, walking boots and matching red jackets, with the princess in a cap, as they tried their hand at abseiling down a quarry.
Before heading over the edge Kate, who had her hair tied in a ponytail, was heard telling William: “We’re not racing.”
The heir to the throne led the way over the edge after teasing Kate, saying: “Come on then are we going to abseil or stand around talking.”
Asked if he had done it before, he replied: “It’s been a while.”
Kate and William, the Prince and Princess of Wales, then took part in a mock rescue with Kate venturing out with a team to save a pretend casualty who had slipped on rocks.
She was tasked with radioing in for help and medical supplies to her husband in the incident control van. Kate said: “Have you got everything on the list?”
She laughed and added: “It’s like calling him about the weekly shopping.” The regal pair then helped carry the casualty back to the team’s van around 200 yards away.
Ironically one member of the watching press park managed to cut their ankle on a sharp rock and needed real life first aid. The woman who was bleeding needed a bandage around her ankle.
William spotted it and shouted over to her: “Are you ok? At least it’s the right place to do it.”
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The couple were also introduced to two former mountain rescuers, Bob Thomas and Nick Richards, who had helped with the Aberfan school tragedy in October 1966. William said: “It must have been terrifying.
“My gran told me many times she visited.”
Bob, 75, told the Prince of Wales: “Your family did the right thing as they didn’t visit for a week and it would have been a distraction.”
Bob added afterwards: “It’s very very nice indeed they’ve taken the time and trouble to come.”
William and Kate will later dry off and socialise with the climbers at the nearby Dowlais Rugby Club. The club, which is a feeder club to Cardiff Blues, is a popular spot where the climbers socialise and relax when they are off duty.