Prince William has given a major update on Princess Kate's cancer saying she is "doing well" while visiting a hospital on the Isles of Scilly.
The Prince of Wales made his first official trip since inheriting the Duchy of Cornwall. The Prince, known locally as the Duke of Cornwall, arrived on St Mary’s by boat, having travelled from Tresco, one of the smaller islands.
The Prince was driven the short distance from the harbour to St. Mary’s Community Hospital, where he met staff and was updated on the plans for a large new extension. The expansion will see a new health and social care facility built on Duchy of Cornwall land and William appeared interested to hear how it was going.
He told several members of staff that he was keen to learn more about what was needed on the islands and how the Duchy could help. “Keep flagging anything else that we can do,” he told them. “I’m hoping to do more down here where you guys want it.”
He later told another group: “We have got to work to do better. I don’t have all the answers but I’m just trying to learn my way around and work out what needs doing.” On arrival, the Prince was met by Tracy Smith, who is in charge of hospital administration.
She said later: “I asked how Princess Kate was and how the children were and said I hoped they would enjoy some time here over the summer. He said he would very much like that to be able to happen.” The Prince and Princess of Wales occasionally bring their three children over to Tresco in the holidays, following a tradition William enjoyed during his own childhood.
As he disembarked The Pegasus, which bore the Duke of Cornwall flag, a small cheer went up from a throng of onlookers on the harbour. The Prince hailed the “glorious” weather before strolling to the On the Quay cafe, where he bought five traditional pasties for £5.50 each. He was served by Joely Dearman, 22, and Zachariah Fox, 28, both seasonal workers from north Devon.
“Busy this morning? What’s selling quickest?” he asked, wondering if there had been a morning rush. The Prince told the staff how difficult he had found it to leave Tresco earlier, in such glorious weather. “I got in the sea yesterday, it was very nice," he revealed.
William asked Joely and Zachariah if they both lived on the island before chatting to them about the World Pilot Gig Championships that were held there last weekend. “How many gigs were there?” he asked, noting that the event was growing every year. Zachairah told him there were around 420 teams but that the interest was good for the island and "good for business".
The Prince also said he had heard about “Wally the Walrus”, a walrus who had to be enticed away from the harbour in 2021 after causing too much damage to the vessels. Eventually, he was encouraged to buy the pasties from a member of staff, aware there were people waiting to meet him outside. “What kind of pasty would you like?” Zachariah asked.
“I’ll take the traditional one,” William replied. “Five.. they’re not all for me.” Outside, the heir to the throne was greeted a group of tourists lined up on the harbour to meet him, admitting he wished he could stay. “My family are very upset I’m here without them,” he laughed. “The children will kill me if I don’t go home later.”
He asked if they were waiting to catch a boat. “We’re waiting for you!” One woman said. “I’m never sure,” William laughed. The Prince strolled on to meet representatives from local businesses on the harbour front on St Mary’s, the largest of the Scilly islands. The harbour is run by the Duchy of Cornwall and is considered the maritime gateway to the islands - a crucial part of the community, which relies on the tourism industry.
It handles passengers and vessels travelling to the Isles of Scilly from ‘Tripper Boats’ and sail training vessels to fishing boats and those carrying special cargo deliveries. William walked down to the water to meet a gig boat team from the “Zelda” who came third at the championships last weekend.
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The crew are all born and bred Scillonians who have rowed together for a number of years, achieving fourth place for a number of years before finally reaching a podium finish this year. William then chatted to local resident Sue Badcock, who works in the ticket office at the harbour, telling her he had not realised quite what an achievement the gig team’s triumph had been.
“This is your spot?” he asked Mrs Badcock as he approached the tiny office. “Have you been here for ages then?” Admiring the weather again, he told her: “I was dragging my heels getting off Tresco in the sunshine.” As William chatted, a lone protestor in the crowd shouted: “The Duchy takes money from the people who live here.”
But those around her started clapping and cheering to drown out her chants. The Prince shook hands with several passersby before crouching down to greet a group of schoolchildren in Year Two at Five Islands Academy, which serves the islands of Bryher, St Agnes, St Martin's, St Mary's and Tresco.
After greeting them all and asking how school was going, some of them had a question. A little nervous in the presence of royalty, they had to be coaxed by their teacher to deliver their prepared lines. “What’s the question” William asked a little girl called Florence.
“Is the King’s son allowed to have lunch with us?” she asked. The Prince repeated the question as he deliberated how best to answer. “Yes,” he then said. “Is that OK?” Told that it was fish pie today, he said: “Fish pie? Delicious. I’ve got a pasty from the shop so I’m going to have one of those later."
He asked how the children had come over to St Mary’s, asking: “When the weather’s not nice, is it bad on the boat?” Another child asked: “Who’s your best guard?” William laughed as he replied: “That’s a very complicated question", gesturing to the various protection offices milling around behind him. “There’s a small one, Paul, he’s very good,” he said, pointing to Paul. “He’s nice.” Another little boy asked William what his favourite colour was. “I’m going to go blue,” he replied.