Prince William Receives Sweet Gifts For Kate And The Children During Warm Welsh School Visit
William was in West London today, while his brother Harry undertook engagements in the city (Image: Getty Images)
Prince William was in cheerful form as he visited a Welsh-speaking school in London and left with a handful of thoughtful gifts for Princess Kate and their three children.
The Prince of Wales joined pupils, teachers and athletes linked to the upcoming Glasgow Commonwealth Games during a lively engagement at The London Welsh School in Hanwell, west London. The visit gave William a chance to take part in outdoor sporting activities, meet young pupils and celebrate Welsh language education in the capital.
The school, also known as Ysgol Gymraeg Llundain, is a bilingual Welsh-English primary school for children aged three to eleven. Founded in 1958, it remains the only Welsh-language primary school outside Wales and Patagonia, giving it a special place in the life of Welsh families living in London.
Prince William in West London today(Image: Getty Images)
William tried his hand at bowls with the children and also joined in a brief game of netball. The atmosphere was relaxed and playful, with the Prince joking that, on another hot day in the capital, he would quite like to be “in a swimming pool”.
There was also a fun moment with Finnie the Unicorn, the official mascot for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. A life-size version of the character greeted William earlier in the visit and even made him perform a “secret handshake” in front of the schoolchildren.
Before leaving, William was presented with three plushie toy versions of Finnie for Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. The gesture added a sweet family touch to the visit, with the Prince also reportedly receiving gifts for Princess Kate.
William spoke with kids at the Welsh school(Image: Getty Images)
William met several athletes preparing for the Commonwealth Games and wished them luck ahead of what he described as a potentially “amazing summer” of sport. In a huddle with competitors in the playground, he said he hoped England could win the World Cup before the Commonwealth Games added to the sporting excitement.
The Prince also met Julie Thomas, one of Wales’s most decorated para bowls athletes, who lost her sight in 2014 before going on to build a remarkable sporting career. After speaking with William, she said he seemed genuinely warm, interested and knowledgeable. She also revealed that he told her his three children would be cheering her on when she competes in Glasgow.
The visit stood in striking contrast to events unfolding elsewhere in London at the same time. While William was carrying out his school engagement in west London, Prince Harry was across the city speaking about the Invictus Games when news broke that he had lost his high-profile privacy case against Associated Newspapers, publisher of the Daily Mail.
The Prince of Wales tried his hand at bowls(Image: Getty Images)
For William, however, the focus remained firmly on children, sport, Welsh culture and the power of education. Speaking to teachers, he said he had only recently learned about the school and immediately wanted to see it for himself.
He was particularly interested in how pupils switch between Welsh and English, asking whether they think in Welsh or English while learning subjects such as maths. William appeared fascinated when told many of the children naturally think in Welsh, describing it as an interesting result of starting the language from a very young age.
William shared a handshake with Finnie the Unicorn(Image: Getty Images)
The warm visit offered another glimpse of the Prince of Wales in his public role: relaxed with children, engaged with athletes and proud of his family’s Welsh connections. And with plushie mascots heading home for George, Charlotte and Louis, the engagement ended on a particularly charming family note.
