The Prince and Princess of Wales, on October 03, 2023, visited Cardiff to mark the start of the UK’s Black History Month. The visit also aimed to celebrate the work of diverse community groups in the area and to meet members of the Windrush generation. The Windrush generation were immigrants who arrived in Britain between 1948 and 1973, named after the ship HMT Empire Windrush. The government needed workers to help fill post-war labor shortages and rebuild the economy, and Caribbean countries were also struggling economically. The Windrush generation played a significant role in rebuilding the country, but in 2013, they started receiving letters claiming that they had no right to be in the UK.

During their visit, Their Royal Highnesses met members of the Windrush Cymru Elders, Black History Cymru 365, and the Ethnic Minority Youth Forum for Wales. They also visited Fitzalan High School, which serves one of Wales’s most diverse and disadvantaged communities. The school has many pupils who speak English as a second language and are direct relatives of the Windrush Cymru Elders. William and Catherine listened to a brief history lesson on life in Tiger Bay, a key area where the Windrush Generation lived, and the importance of learning about their cultural heritage.

On October 04, 2023, The Princess of Wales visited Vsi Razom (which means “all together” in Ukrainian) community hub in the Lexicon shopping center in Bracknell to hear about the work the organization is doing to support those who have arrived in the area from Ukraine as a result of the ongoing conflict. During her visit, she helped pack donations of essential items such as food and clothing with young Ukrainians who have moved to the UK in the last year, which will be sent back to Ukraine to provide aid directly to those affected by the conflict in the country. The Princess also heard about the hub’s different services from volunteers and joined an arts and crafts session with local children. The sessions allow displaced Ukrainians to find support advice, and build friendships in their local community. She also met with the hub’s psychologist, who runs weekly sessions to provide mental health support to local Ukrainians adjusting to life in the UK and spent time with the families who are being supported by the hub to hear about their experience of moving to the UK and how the hub has provided an essential lifeline for them.

The Royal couple has been actively supporting the people of Ukraine since the conflict began. They have participated in several engagements to raise awareness of the situation and the support available in the UK. In November last year, The Royal Foundation of The Prince and The Princess of Wales organized a virtual roundtable meeting to share best practices and provide advice to aid the mental health strategy of the First Lady of Ukraine, which focuses on addressing the impact of the ongoing conflict on the mental wellbeing of Ukrainians.

On October 05, 2023, The Princess of Wales visited the Hull. She is the Patron of the Rugby Football League. She attended a Rugby League Inclusivity Day hosted by the Rugby Football League, Hull FC, and the University of Hull. The event showcased the value and impact of the Disability Rugby League on its participants, their families, and local communities. It highlighted the power of sport to tackle inequalities, support, and develop individuals regardless of their circumstances and background.

During her visit, The Princess tried wheelchair rugby and joined a training session facilitated by members of the world-cup-winning England Wheelchair Rugby League squad. She also learned more about the Physical Disability Rugby League, a full-contact version of the game adapted for players with physical disabilities who want to access a running version of the sport, and the Learning Disabilities Rugby League, a non-competitive version of the sport specifically adapted for those with learning disabilities. The Princess participated in drills with PDRL and LDRL players and students from Hull FC’s Centre of Excellence.

GALLERY LINKS:

– Engagements & Tour Photos > 2023 > October 03 | Marking Windrush 75 In Cardiff
– Engagements & Tour Photos > 2023 > October 04 | The Princess of Wales Visits Vsi Razom Community Hub
– Engagements & Tour Photos > 2023 > October 05 | Visiting Hull For Rugby League Inclusivity Day