Podcast 30 – Kate & William rounded off their Royal visit to Scotland, meeting with lots of children

It was Children, Children and more Children as far as Kate & William’s last Day in Scotland on their Royal Tour. The couple stayed in and around the Edinburgh area for another active and mostly fun filled day.  You got the sense that Kate and William had been told to keep the whole week fairly light and not too serious. 

Their final day started with a visit to Starbank Park in Edinburgh to hear about the work of an organization called Fields In Trust UK.  Working all across the UK,  Fields in Trust view green spaces in the UK are being under threat and they believe that everyone, irrespective of who they are and where they live,  should have the right to enjoy and benefit from local parks and green spaces.

The organization rightly see parks and green spaces as a place to help people stay physically and mentally well; places where we can all move, breathe, run and play. They see accessible green spaces as an important tool to drive social cohesion, combat loneliness and build community spirit. The 125-year-old Starbank park is one of those protected by Fields in Trust, of which William is president, a role that was previously held by Prince Philip.

William planted an apple tree, and Kate and he helped the kids plant sunflowers and scatter seeds for butterfly attracting plants. Kate and William spoke to families who use the park, including new parents. 

The park also has a small library tree library with donated books inside that people can take free of charge. Kate added to its stock,  putting in a copy of Hold Still, her collection of people’s photographs documenting Britain during lockdown.

Keeping the outdoor theme going Kate and William  joined pupils from Canal View Primary School for a game of tennis and other activities at the Craiglockhart Tennis Centre in Edinburgh. The event was run by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) which Kate supports as a patron. 

Kate and William proved a hit with the youth and were put onto opposing teams for a game of doubles on the clay court, with William’s team winning.

In a more intimate engagement,  Kate fulfilled a promise she had made to a young girl who is featured in Kate’s Hold Still photography campaign and in the accompanying book. Kate invited 5 year-old Mila Sneddon and her family to the Queen's official Edinburgh home, when Kate wore the pink dress that she had promised Mila she would wear.

The photograph of Mila who is battling cancer, came to symbolise isolation during the pandemic after she was pictured kissing her home's kitchen window as her father stood outside. 

Mila’s face apparently lit up when Kate walked into the room at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Mila’s mom described the experience of chatting to Kate as "a really surreal and bizarre experience, " she said  "we've come out of lockdown and this is our first trip out which is really unusual”.  Mila however was not phased in meeting a Princess as she twirled around and around in circles in her pretty pink dress, and happily drew a picture of a robot,  as well as performing handstands and cartwheels in front of the Kate, no doubt letting off some her pent up cabin fever. 

The Royal tour ended where it started with Prince William giving a speech speaking of his honour in acting as Lord High Commissioner of the Church of Scotland on behalf of the Queen.

Keep listening in for future podcasts about the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. You can reach out to me by twitter Jeanette Songolo @kindthoughtsformeghanmarkle (@JeanetteSongolo) / Twitter or by email at [email protected]