Prince William and Princess Kate took a boat trip down memory lane.
On Thursday, March 12, the Prince and Princess of Wales took a boat trip along the River Thames in London to highlight the lifesaving work of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution – a return to their first ever royal engagement together in 2011.
Wearing life jackets and RNLI caps, the Prince and Princess of Wales boarded a lifeboat and took turns at the wheel as they traveled under the iconic Tower Bridge while learning more about the charity’s work on London’s busy waterway.
A statement shared on the official Wales Instagram account, run by Kensingtom Palace, reflects the historical significance of the river. “For centuries the river has been at the heart of London’s life, shaping its communities, its commerce and the stories people tell about the city, from folk traditions to modern London.”
The statement continued: “It was wonderful to meet the RNLI crews to hear first-hand about river rescues and the training behind them, meet volunteer fundraisers and hear the lifeguards preparing for the University Boat Race. »
This visit has special meaning for the couple, who will celebrate their 15th wedding anniversary in April. Their first ever public engagement together took place at an RNLI station in Anglesey in February 2011, just months before their wedding. At the time, they helped launch a lifeboat into Trearddur Bay.
During Thursday’s engagement, the future king and queen met crew members and RNLI lifeguards who help protect those traveling along the River Thames.
Earlier in the day, William and Kate also visited London’s bustling Borough Market before continuing their outing through Southwark.
The RNLI, which counts King Charles III as its patron after Queen Elizabeth II, operates 238 lifeboat stations across the UK and Ireland. Four of these are located along the River Thames, with Tower Station alone responding to dozens of emergencies this year.
