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The Prince of Wales playfully teased Kate Middleton for ‘nattering too much’ as they packed parcels for struggling families at a food bank in Windsor today.
Prince William, 40, and his wife, 41, visited Windsor Foodshare this morning to hear how the organisation provides for individuals and families, where they also helped to sort out donations and prepare packages for the local community.
The Princess looked elegant in her Hobbs London Tilda Coat in fuchsia pink which she paired with a matching Hobbs jumper and a pair of smart black trousers.
The couple appeared in good spirits, promising they would return in the future, and teased one another about who was better at packing the parcels.
The Prince and Princess of Wales showed their caring spirits today as they visited a food bank in Windsor – as millions of families struggle with the cost-of-living crisis
The princess styled her hair in a bouncy blow dry for the outing and chose a subtle smokey eye shadow and a sweep of blush. It is a look that Kate has gone for before.
She last wore the colourful ensemble in November 2021, when she visited a school in London as part of her Early Years work.
The couple praised volunteers for the ‘vital’ work they do at the food bank, just a stone’s throw from their Berkshire home, which offers not just basics such as bread and pasta, but also, unusually, eggs and fresh fruit and vegetables.
The couple’s children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, are also aware of the project as it is supported by their new school, Lambrook, the princess revealed.
The Princess looked elegant in her Hobbs London Tilda Coat In Fuchsia Pink, which she paired with a matching Hobbs jumper and a pair of smart black trousers
Once inside, the couple appeared in good spirits as they chatted with staff and volunteers about the importance of the service
Kate said that some of the pupils come down to visit and see food bank first-hand, although it is understood that none of her children have done that yet.
Organisers said the private prep school helps through harvest festivals and food drives.
The couple were met by Foodshare’s organiser, Sarah Kember, and Reverend Matthew Scott, minister of Dedworth Green Baptist Church, where the initiative is based.
They were taken inside to have a brief chat about how the project was set up a decade ago.
Its 48 volunteers now help around 7,000 people a year and have seen demand for its services soar by 18 per cent in the last 12 months as the cost of living crisis has bitten.
Each parcel will last around four days and can either be picked up from the church or delivered.
Toiletries and cleaning products are also provided on a monthly basis.
The couple appeared in good spirits at the event, promising volunteers and members of staff that they would return in the future
Individual and families are referred from a variety of sources such as schools, doctors, social services, churches and community wardens.
The initiative, which part of Windsor Christian Action, gets no government funding and relies on donations – both in terms of produce and cash – from the public, as well as donated goods from local supermarkets such as Tesco, Aldo , Waitrose and Marks & Spencer. It costs £21,000-a-year alone to provide the fresh produce.
Mrs Kember said: ‘We are now helping around 200 people a week and for many of them this is the only fresh food they will get all week. ‘
‘What has been the hardest thing? How do you actually set up a food bank?’ William asked.
Kate asked whether there had been a ‘slight shift’ in people’s awkwardness in obtaining hand-outs from food and baby banks.
The royal mother-of-three maneuvered a trolley through the charity’s base in Windsor where she met with volunteers
Kate, who has become a dedicated campaigner on a number of social issues, sorted through different tins to make the food packages
The Prince and Princess, who have spoken of the ‘devastating’ impact of the cost of living crisis, were quick to get involved at the centre
Kate also helped volunteers to sort food donations and prepare packages for the charity’s clients to collect later that day (left and right)
‘It feels like it is a little more accepted because people are feeling now that it not so much their fault that they are struggling because of the emergency crisis. It is not their fault that they are struggling for money,’ explained Mrs Kember, nodding.
‘So people want to reach out for help and support?’ interjected the princess.
‘Once they come for the first time they actually realise that it is not so bad to come to us. There are a lot of people like them. We have working families that are still struggling. Mind-blowing that they are working and still struggling,’ Mrs Kember added.
The princess asked: ‘How much is there a need for connection and being with other people given, on the back of the pandemic, the sense of isolation and loneliness? Is there a need for people to come together particularly within the church and the community. Is there more of a need for that connection?’
Mrs Kember replied: ‘Absolutely. People come here and this might be the only person they see all week. We still do deliveries for people who are still struggling to leave their homes. It is an absolute reality that people still need to talk. ‘
The couple were then taken out into the church hall to meet and help the cheerful team of volunteers.
Rolling up his sleeves! Prince William sorts through tins at the food bank today
The royal, who was in good spirits, was animated as he chatted with staff members and volunteers about their work
The royal couple joined other volunteers at the centre as they helped to sort through food donations to distribute to families in the local area
The Prince of Wales was quick to get to work and began checking through tins to pack into parcels for families
The royal father-of-three picked up packets of cereal and tins of food to pack into parcels at the food bank
William was given a trolley and a shopping list and asked to help pick out items for a family of four who would come late to collect their goods, while Kate was asked to sort tinned and packet items into use by dates in order to minimise food wastage.
‘Eggs, just the one packet?’ asked the prince?
‘A treat? Got to be Jaffa Cakes, surely,’
Chatting with a group of female volunteers who were sorting bread, William said mischievously: ‘I can tell who the naughty ones are here. There’s a real gang here. Can we have some bread please? This is so well organised. It’s really efficient and I promise you that’s not something we have seen everywhere.’
Asked if he wanted to help out with another bag, the future king smiled and said: ‘I’m here, I’m your man.’
As the princess sorted tins of spaghetti she bombarded volunteers with questions, such as how how many clients are helped each week.
William stopped by and teased his wife: ‘There’s too much nattering going on here! We need to speed things up a bit!’ I’ve already learnt who the chatty ones are here.’
In return Kate teased him about his loading of the trolley. ‘It was a bit of a mess,’ her husband said with mock sheepishness.
‘This really is a wonderful place for bringing people together,’ the Princess remarked.
As they left the couple promised to return, William saying; ‘We would love to come back without the entourage.’
‘Lovely to meet you, Sarah, and the team,’ Kate enthused, laughing as the organiser told them that one had definitely been a better packer than the other but she didn’t like to say whom.
‘And one’s a better cook than the other,’ William added jokily.
Volunteer Jane Willocks said afterwards: ‘They were a lovely couple. Clearly very well briefed but so keen to get involved and hear about what we are doing.
The Princess, who just yesterday appeared at another royal engagement in Windsor, was animated as she spoke with staff and volunteers about their ongoing efforts
The Princess in November said the impact of food and energy insecurity in the country could be ‘devastating’
Kate, who has previously spoken of how families are struggling amidst the cost-of-living crisis, was animated as she spoke with staff at the centre during her visit today
During the visit, the couple met with staff who run the service, before learning more about the charity’s founding principles
‘Kate in particularly wanted to know about the quality and the quantity of food. She asked a lot of questions about the tinned meat, which doesn’t look that appetising but obviously we can’t serve fresh. And she was really impressed with the fact that we offer some fresh food such as fruit and vegetables and eggs.
‘They were both also really taken about the respect we offer people, our clients. And Kate liked the fact that we have children in here and learn very early on that others are not as fortunate as them. ‘
Amanda Russell added: ‘I thought they asked very pertinent questions. This so, so rewarding. I really look forward to coming in here. We work hard and have a lot of laughs,. We often walk out exhausted, but it is worth it. That’s why we stick with it.’
Speaking afterwards organiser Sarah Kember praised the couple for visiting.
‘I was very nervous this morning. But they really put us at ease,’ she said.
‘They were interested in what happens in our local area and the rise in numbers and particularly how we get donations in.
‘There was some fun moments too. One was probably a better packer than the other but I wouldn’t like to say which one.
‘They are always welcomed back any time. We are always grateful for a pair of hands, i don’t mind whose hands it is helping, royal or otherwise.’
A royal aide said the couple’s visit was part of their ‘focus’ over the winter months in supporting some of the most hard-pressed communities across the country.
Sarah Kember, manager of Windsor Food Share, greeted William and Kate at Dedworth Green Baptist Church
Meanwhile the Prince of Wales was dressed in a smart navy blue and green ensemble for the outing today
Chatting with staff members at the food bank, the couple heard about the impact that the rising cost of living has had on the demand for the service
Kate and William have long been campaigners to address a number of social challenges – from addiction and violence to family breakdown and homelessness – so often underpinned by poor mental health
The princess styled her hair in a bouncy blow dry for the outing and chose a subtle smokey eye and a sweep of blush
In September, Kate made a rare foray into politics when she spoke of the need for food banks as millions of families struggle with the cost-of-living crisis.
The royal made the comments about the importance of community services during a discussion with volunteers and members of the congregation at St Thomas Church in Swansea.
During the visit with husband William, Kate said: ‘With the cost of living crisis, there are a lot of desperate people out there.’
The royal said that the food bank was a ‘lifeline to so many people’ particularly after the pandemic and amid the soaring cost of living.
During their visit today, the couple also helped volunteers to sort food donations and prepare packages for the charity’s clients to collect later that day
William and Kate visited Windsor Foodshare this morning to hear how the organisation provides for individuals and families living in the local area
Leading the way! Kate stepped out of the car ahead of her husband, appearing enthusiastic to learn more about the service in Windsor
Kate showed off her eco-credentials today as she rewore the vibrant pink coat and jumper from British brand Hobbs
Kate and William have long been campaigners to address a number of social challenges – from addiction and violence to family breakdown and homelessness – so often underpinned by poor mental health
The Princess looked elegant in her Hobbs London Tilda Coat In Fuchsia Pink for the visit, which she paired with a matching Hobbs jumper and a pair of smart black trousers
The royal mother-of-three wore her lengthy brunette locks in a bouncy blow dry style for the outing today
The royal styled her bright pink jumper and matching coat with a pair of navy trousers and heels for the outing
The royal couple are set to learn more about the food bank today, as well as helping volunteers to pack sort through donations
And in November, the Princess of Wales shared a heartwarming message of sympathy for families with the thousands of families facing the ‘devastating impact of food and energy insecurity’.
Backing the Evening Standard’s On The Breadline Christmas appeal – aimed at supporting those suffering through the cost-of-living crisis in the UK – Kate said it is a vital time to help the vulnerable.
She told the newspaper: ‘As millions of people face increasingly difficult times over the coming months, it has never been more important for us to support families who are working so hard to protect their children from the devastating impact of food and energy insecurity.’
The mother-of-three thanked the paper, its partners and readers for its work and remarked that its sure to make a difference to families in London and the UK this winter.
It’s been a busy week for Kate, who yesterday met with eight experts, appointed to offer her strategic advice and provide oversight of the work of her Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, at Windsor Castle.
Kate, shaking hands with the specialists, said: ‘I feel a bit nervous about it! But excited too.
‘I was talking to the children this morning – the excitement and nervousness gets mixed up together in the same pot.’
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