Royal Trio Delights in Visit to Prince’s Foundation Training Site for Arts and Culture

On a personal invitation from her father-in-law, the Prince of Wales, Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, joined him and the Duchess of Cornwall for a joint engagement on Thursday morning.

The trio, captured in high spirits, paid a visit to the Prince's Foundation training site for arts and culture at Trinity Boy Wharf in London.

Their purpose was to meet students who were learning traditional industries such as textile, stone crafting, and wax sculpting.

While the Duchess of Cambridge has accompanied Prince Charles and Camilla on various events alongside her husband, Prince William, this marks the first time since 2012 that the trio has stepped out without him.

The Prince's Foundation offers a diploma year, an intensive one-year course designed for school leavers with a passion for studying fine art or applied art.

It serves as a stepping stone for those seeking admission to prestigious art schools and universities like Oxford and Cambridge.

For this particular visit, Prince Charles personally invited his daughter-in-law due to their shared love for the arts and passion for textiles.

Photos from the engagement clearly show the proud Charles unable to hide his joy in Catherine's presence.

With a broad smile, Catherine exuded energy as she confidently donned a grey Catherine Walker coat dress belted with a black collar, tights, and black heels.

This outfit, a firm favorite of hers, has been worn on multiple public outings in the past, including in 2020 and 2019.

To complete her look, the mother of three carried a black Mulberry handbag and wore a pair of diamond and sapphire earrings inherited from Princess Diana.

Interestingly, Catherine had previously worn an almost identical outfit during a joint visit with Queen Elizabeth II to King's College in London in March 2019.

On that occasion, she accessorized with a simple black fascinator, while the Queen opted for a brighter pastel pink ensemble.

In January 2020, Catherine had chosen the same chic waist-clinching winterpiece when she and Prince William attended Holocaust Memorial Day.

During the visit, Camilla looked regal in a dark green peplum coat dress, complemented by a delicate white scarf and a brooch around her neck.

Meanwhile, Prince Charles sported a dark blue checksuit and tie, appearing to share a cheeky joke with his eldest son's partner.

As part of their engagement, the royal trio met students from the Prince's Foundation School of Traditional Arts.

They observed young people working with wax figures and attended a life drawing class.

Additionally, they had the opportunity to meet graduates and young business leaders involved in Charles' modern artisan project.

The trio was also shown the techniques behind traditional kilt production and silk smocking.

One highlight of the visit was the chance for the royals to meet young designer Nicole Christie, who trained with the project in Scotland.

Christie expressed her excitement at reconnecting with Prince Charles and meeting Catherine and Camilla for the first time.

As a blossoming fashion entrepreneur with her own Ellipis label, she was honored to have the royals take an interest in her garments.

Catherine, in particular, showed curiosity about the silk used in Christie's designs, which is sourced entirely from the UK.

The royals exhibited humility and genuine interest in Christie's business and the support she had received from the Foundation and the Prince's Trust.

As a token of appreciation, Christie gifted a silk evening purse to both Camilla and Catherine, along with a pink scrunchie for Catherine's daughter, Princess Charlotte.

In the sculpture class, Catherine engaged in a conversation about working with wax.

Cara McKay, an 18-year-old student, shared how she discussed the challenge of manipulating wax with the Duchess, mentioning that cold hands can make the task even more difficult.

Florence Harrison, another student on the Foundation course, described the royals as lovely and friendly.

She had the opportunity to speak with Catherine about the process of translating a life drawing from 2D to a 3D shape.

Harrison was pleasantly surprised by the warm reception she received and appreciated the shared interest in art displayed by the royal visitors.

Abigail Eadie, an 18-year-old scholar who will be studying fine art at Oxford University, felt overwhelmed but grateful for the chance to meet the royals.

They wished her good luck and engaged in a conversation about her work, demonstrating their genuine interest in the arts.

According to a royal aide, Catherine's invitation to join the engagement was based on her long-standing support for the arts and creative industries.

The visit held special significance as it marked only the second time Catherine had joined Charles and Camilla on an engagement together.

The previous occasion was in March 2012 when Prince William was away on an RAF posting in the Falklands.

However, these joint engagements may become more common in the future, as royal sources suggest that outings involving Charles, Camilla, William, and Catherine could signify a new era of collaboration and solidarity among the future king, his eldest son, and their wives.

In conclusion, the royal trio's visit to the Prince's Foundation training site for arts and culture showcased their shared passion for traditional industries and artistic pursuits.

Catherine's presence alongside Prince Charles and Camilla demonstrated her commitment to supporting the arts, while also highlighting the potential for increased collaboration within the royal family.

The engagement provided an opportunity for the royals to engage with students, graduates, and young entrepreneurs, fostering a sense of inspiration and encouragement within the creative community.