Britain’s future monarch Prince William surprised locals as he traveled to the Isles of Scilly aboard a new pilot boat to attend a series of engagements.
The Prince and Princess of Wales shared details of William’s trip on their official Instagram account as William, known locally as the Duke of Cornwall, arrived at Hughtown Harbor on his new pilot boat, John Guy, named in memory of a long-serving Duchy worker of Scillonian origin.
The vessel, funded by the Duchy of Cornwall, plays a vital role in keeping island waters safe and supporting the daily life of the Scillonian community.
A crowd of excited tourists had gathered to greet the royal on the quayside.
William opened a new facility at the Isles of Scilly Hospital, where he also met staff and patients, sharing a laugh and a cup of tea with residents of the care home.
He has taken a keen interest in the development of healthcare in Scilly since taking over the duchy when he became Prince of Wales and is keen to increase the islands’ medical capacity.
The upgraded facility combines NHS services with social care provision as part of an integrated model, enabling more efficient use of staff and shared resources.
William also visited the almost completed construction site where the Duchy will deliver 10 new sustainable homes designed to address the critical housing shortage in the islands.
