Kate Middleton dons £600 jacket and trusty hiking boots as she kicks off visit to Wales with William

Kate learns the ropes! Princess shows off her abseiling skills as she joins Prince William on an action-packed day out at a mountain rescue centre in Wales

The Princess of Wales showed off her abseiling skills today as she joined her husband Prince William for a whirlwind visit to Wales.

Kate, 41, and the Prince of Wales, 40, are visiting the South Wales Valleys and Mid Wales over the next two days, and kicked off their trip by meeting Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.

The mother-of-three opted for a sporty look, donning The Mountain Equipment Kongur MRT Women’s Jacket, costing £600, black trousers, a grey cap and hiking boots.

William, who is patron of Mountain Rescue England and Wales, and Kate will have the opportunity to engage in training activities such as abseiling, medical support exercises and a search dog rescue demonstration.

Run entirely by volunteers, the Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team has been working to keep the communities of Mid and South Wales safe since 1963. 

Kate learns the ropes! The princess shows off her abseiling skills as she joins Prince William on an action-packed day out at a mountain rescue centre in Wales 

Sporting princess! Kate appeared to be ready for abseiling with William after arriving at the Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team headquarters in Merthyr Tydfil, in Wales

Sporting princess! Kate appeared to be ready for abseiling with William after arriving at the Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team headquarters in Merthyr Tydfil, in Wales

The team responds to calls 24 hours a day, year round and covers the Central area of the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, which incorporates Pen y Fan, the highest point in southern Britain, as well as the Ystradfellte waterfalls, Cardiff, Newport and the Valleys. 

During their time with the team, the royal couple will meet with current volunteers to hear about their roles and experiences of carrying out rescues, in addition to former team members spanning the organisation’s 60-year history.

Later today, the Prince and Princess will visit the nearby Dowlais Rugby Club where members of the team typically go to relax and socialise. 

Inside the club, the couple will spend time with mountain rescue volunteers, the organisation’s supporters, and members of the local community.

Upon leaving the rugby club, they will spend some time meeting members of the public gathered outside. 

Prior to becoming a senior royal at the age of 35, William had a career as an RAF search and rescue pilot. He also worked as a pilot for the East Anglian Air Ambulance.

Kate, 41, and the Prince of Wales (pictured together), 40, are visiting the South Wales Valleys and Mid Wales over the next two days

Kate, 41, and the Prince of Wales (pictured together), 40, are visiting the South Wales Valleys and Mid Wales over the next two days

The Princess of Wales was radiant as she joined her husband Prince William for a whirlwind visit to Wales today

The Princess of Wales was radiant as she joined her husband Prince William for a whirlwind visit to Wales today

The Princess of Wales arrives for a visit to Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team headquarters in Merthyr Tydfil, in Wales

The Princess of Wales arrives for a visit to Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team headquarters in Merthyr Tydfil, in Wales

The Princess of Wales arrives for a visit to Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team headquarters in Merthyr Tydfil, in Wales

Ready for action! Kate and William looked the part in their waterproof gear when arriving at today's outing

Ready for action! Kate and William looked the part in their waterproof gear when arriving at today’s outing

Meeting the team! Kate shook hands with the volunteers working for the rescue team in Wales

Meeting the team! Kate shook hands with the volunteers working for the rescue team in Wales

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