Prince William and Princess Catherine greet Aussie troops during Welsh guards visit
The Prince and Princess of Wales have delivered a powerful message to Australian soldiers on a very special mission in the UK.
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The Prince and Princess of Wales have met with Australian troops currently stationed in the UK to assist in the training of Ukrainian soldiers.
On St David’s Day – a day of national celebration for Wales – the prince and princess honoured the Welsh Guards in Windsor, a short drive from their new home.
The heir to the throne shook hands with a member of Australia’s armed forces on arrival and the royal couple later spent time talking to members of the 5th Royal Australian Regiment.
Prince William also saluted the Australian soldiers during the event.
The event marked the first time Prince William has visited the Welsh Guards since becoming the ceremonial Colonel of the Welsh Guards, a royal role announced in December.
The royal couple were all smiles despite new drama surrounding the Duke and Duchess of Sussex who have been evicted from Frogmore Cottage, their UK base.
He made a speech about his new appointment, which came following Queen Elizabeth’s death and King Charles’s accession to the throne.
“I am both honoured and delighted to be standing here in front of you today as your new Colonel,” he told the regiment.
“At the same time, I’m sorry that my father couldn’t be here with us here today to say farewell, but I know he would talk of his fierce pride and admiration for you all, and of his own sadness to be moving on from an appointment he held so dear since 1975.”
Prince William also spoke fondly of his own time spent in the British Army, stating that his memories with the Welsh Guards Sniper Platoon Salisbury Plain are “some of my best” — even though they “may not have been my easiest or driest days in the Army”.
“Another key milestone in my life was also shared with the Welsh Guards, this time in the Jungles of Belize as I received my A-Level results over the Bowman Radio … Many of you will know the feeling of being in the jungle; you’re incredibly hot, continuously soaking wet and with nowhere to hide from potentially horrendous results, it could have been a really bad day!” he added, smiling.
“Ultimately though, it was the camaraderie, the togetherness and, of course, the banter of the Welsh Guards that got me through that period, and it’s a time I look back on fondly.”
KATE BEATS WILLIAM IN SPIN RACE
It comes as Princess Catherine went head to head with Prince William during a spin class in South Wales.
The uber fit Princess of Wales — who even asked if she could turn the bike’s resistance up and “make it harder” — was crowned victorious despite wearing a $40 Zara skirt and high-heeled Gianvito Rossi boots.
The royal pair were visiting Aberavon Leisure and Fitness Centre in Port Talbot to hear about how sport and exercise can support mental health and wellbeing ahead of St David’s Day.
Entering the cycling room, Prince William apologised to the cyclists and said: “Sorry for ruining your spin class.”
Before climbing onto his bike, the Prince joked to Catherine: “You have got high heels on.”
On arrival at the leisure and fitness centre, the Prince and Princess of Wales were met by local civic dignitaries and taken on a tour of the building.
They began their day of engagements by visiting Brynawel Rehabilitation Centre, near the town of Pontyclun, where a therapy garden is currently being developed.
Toddler Cora Phillips gave the Princess a bunch of daffodils, the national flower of Wales, as the couple left with the centre, the Daily Mail reports.
Her mother Michelle said: “Oh my goodness, I did not expect that in a million years.
“We just met a princess. We’re never going to forget that.”
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Originally published as Prince William and Princess Catherine greet Aussie troops during Welsh guards visit
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