Prince William and Kate Middleton make their first joint official visit to Cornwall

The Prince and Princess of Wales – also titled the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall – have made their first joint official visit to the county since taking on their new roles.

William, 40, and Kate, 41, visited the harbour town of Falmouth on Thursday to learn about the area’s maritime heritage at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall before visiting a local community centre.

Looking effortlessly elegant, mother-of-three Kate sported a chestnut brown Hobbs coat she first debuted in 2012, teamed with matching knee-high boots and a red outfit underneath. William looked dapper in a navy blazer and coordinating jumper.

In November, William made his first official visit to Cornwall since taking on the Duke title, where he met staff, volunteers and young people at Newquay Orchard, which offers environmental education, employability training and community events.

William became the heir apparent – and known as the Prince of Wales – after the death of his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II and the accession of his father Charles to the throne.

The Prince and Princess of Wales – also titled the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall – have made their first joint official visit to the county since taking on their new roles

He also inherited the title Duke of Cornwall and is now the Duke of Cornwall and Cambridge. Kate is now known as the Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge. 

The museum is located in Discovery Quay and is celebrating its 20th birthday this year, having been established in 2003. 

It features fifteen galleries, a boat building workshop and interactive exhibits, making it a popular destination for families and tourists across Cornwall and beyond.

During their visit, the Duke and Duchess will first spend time in the museum’s workshop where they will meet local people working on the refurbishment of the Kiwi, a fourteen-foot sailing dinghy which was presented to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and The Duke of Edinburgh as a wedding present from the Royal New Zealand Navy. 

Kate and William will also hear from a group of young people who are taking part in the ‘Young and Talented Cornwall’ scheme which provides financial support to help young people from across Cornwall fulfil their potential, regardless of their financial means or background. 

In total, the fund has given out almost £350,000 to some 275 individuals in the past ten years – supporting future Olympic medal winners, international rugby players, and musicians now playing in major orchestras, among others. 

Finally, the Duke and Duchess will watch pupils from a local school taking part in a model boat race before departing the museum. 

Yesterday, the Princess of Wales visited a college in Derby alongside Captain Preet Chandi MBE to celebrate the Army officer’s return from her solo expedition across Antarctica.

Kate was patron of Capt Chandi’s expedition, where she broke the world record for the furthest unsupported solo polar ski expedition in history after covering 922 miles in 70 days and 16 hours. 

Looking effortlessly elegant, mother-of-three Kate sported a chestnut brown Hobbs coat she first debuted in 2012 for the outing, teamed with matching knee-high boots

Looking effortlessly elegant, mother-of-three Kate sported a chestnut brown Hobbs coat she first debuted in 2012 for the outing, teamed with matching knee-high boots

The Prince and Princess of Wales speak with well-wishers ahead of their tour of the National Maritime Museum Cornwall

The Prince and Princess of Wales speak with well-wishers ahead of their tour of the National Maritime Museum Cornwall

The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall visit the National Maritime Museum Cornwall, in Falmouth, Cornwall

The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall visit the National Maritime Museum Cornwall, in Falmouth, Cornwall

William, 40, and Kate, 41, visited the harbour town of Falmouth on Thursday to learn about the area's maritime heritage at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall before visiting a local community centre

Kate arrives at The National Maritime Museum

William, 40, and Kate, 41, visited the harbour town of Falmouth on Thursday to learn about the area’s maritime heritage at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall before visiting a local community centre

In November, William made his first official visit to Cornwall since taking on the Duke title, where he met staff, volunteers and young people at Newquay Orchard, which offers environmental education, employability training and community events

In November, William made his first official visit to Cornwall since taking on the Duke title, where he met staff, volunteers and young people at Newquay Orchard, which offers environmental education, employability training and community events

Kate (pictured) is now known as the Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge

Kate (pictured) is now known as the Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge

One person meeting the Princess of Wales appeared to curtsy upon the royal couple's arrival, pictured

One person meeting the Princess of Wales appeared to curtsy upon the royal couple's arrival, pictured

One person meeting the Princess of Wales appeared to curtsy upon the royal couple’s arrival, pictured

William looked dapper in a navy blazer and coordinating jumper when joining Kate in Cornwall

William looked dapper in a navy blazer and coordinating jumper when joining Kate in Cornwall

Adding a touch of glitz to her look, mother-of-three Kate opted for a pair of dainty earrings

Kate during her walkabout in Cornwall

Adding a touch of glitz to her look, mother-of-three Kate opted for a pair of dainty earrings

Looking typically stylish, the royal mother-of-three opted for a white £69.99, double-breasted blazer from Zara for the engagement. Kate debuted a now favoured red version of the jacket in 2020.

The visit to Landau Forte College in Capt Chandi’s hometown kicks off the Army officer’s UK-wide tour of schools, during which she will share her story with the next generation.

During the outing, Capt Chandi, dubbed ‘Polar Preet’, made a speech to students about her expedition and was joined by Kate in presenting an award to Simrat Soggi, one of the winners of the officer’s national school logo competition.

The princess joined students as they took part in some activities which bring to life the expedition and how Capt Chandi prepared for it, including some examples of how she trained and the types of food she consumed.

Kate sported a red ensemble underneath her statement coat, which was cinched at the waist with a dainty brown belt

Kate arrives at The National Maritime Museum

Kate sported a red ensemble underneath her statement coat, which was cinched at the waist with a dainty brown belt

During their visit, the Duke and Duchess will first spend time in the museum’s workshop where they will meet local people working on the refurbishment of the Kiwi, a fourteen-foot sailing dinghy which was presented to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and The Duke of Edinburgh as a wedding present from the Royal New Zealand Navy

During their visit, the Duke and Duchess will first spend time in the museum’s workshop where they will meet local people working on the refurbishment of the Kiwi, a fourteen-foot sailing dinghy which was presented to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and The Duke of Edinburgh as a wedding present from the Royal New Zealand Navy

Kate (pictured) and William will also hear from a group of young people who are taking part in the ‘Young and Talented Cornwall’ scheme which provides financial support to help young people from across Cornwall fulfil their potential, regardless of their financial means or background

Kate (pictured) and William will also hear from a group of young people who are taking part in the ‘Young and Talented Cornwall’ scheme which provides financial support to help young people from across Cornwall fulfil their potential, regardless of their financial means or background

The Princess of Wales added a smattering of glamorous makeup to her features for the outing

The Princess of Wales added a smattering of glamorous makeup to her features for the outing

Finally, the Duke and Duchess (pictured) will watch pupils from a local school taking part in a model boat race before departing the museum

Kate arrives at The National Maritime Museum

Finally, the Duke and Duchess (pictured) will watch pupils from a local school taking part in a model boat race before departing the museum

At the museum, the royal couple (pictured) will learn about the rich maritime heritage of Cornwall

At the museum, the royal couple (pictured) will learn about the rich maritime heritage of Cornwall

Kate is known to be a fan of recycling outfits, and today wore a coat she first debuted in 2012

Kate is known to be a fan of recycling outfits, and today wore a coat she first debuted in 2012

While at the school, Kate attempted to pull two tyres attached to a harness, which weighed 44lb (20kg) each, and which Capt Chandi pulled along Derby’s roads during her three-year training period to simulate the weight of her sledge.

Kate admitted: ‘I need to do some training,’ when trying to pull the tyres.

Finally, Capt Chandi and Kate chatted to a group of Year 11 and Year 13 students about building resilience and mental wellbeing in all aspects of life. 

Speaking to pupils, Kate said: ‘(Capt Chandi) has been a huge inspiration to me and it’s been great to see her journey and what she has been able to achieve in the year she has been working towards this incredible goal.

‘I really hope it inspires you all to believe in yourself, to push boundaries and to really work on your own resilience because there are such strong messages that really help support your emotional and mental wellbeing.’

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