Whether on a solo engagement or in company with the Duke, she always brings boundless enthusiasm to the task in hand, and seems to engage particularly well with children, a facet of her character that was very much to the fore on a February 12th visit to an open farm in County Down, Northern Ireland.
The Duchess received a guided tour of the Ark Open Farm in Newtownards, meeting the owners and staff at the family-run attraction. She also chatted to youngsters, who seemed enchanted with their Royal guest. Greeted on arrival by the Lord Lieutenant of Co. Down, David Lindsay, the Sheriff of Co. Down, Austin Baird, and the Mayor of Ards and North Down, Bill Keery, the Royal visitor was guided around the facility, meeting a range of animals including lambs, goats and alpacas.
At one point she turned snake charmer as she handled a corn snake and was left amazed as she held the pale yellow reptile named Sophie, confessing it was the first time she had picked one up. Holding out her arms, the Duchess remarked: “Are you sure it’s OK? Oh my goodness. No way,” before adding: “Is there a way to hold her? Wow, look at that.”
She asked a youngster next to her: “Do you want to touch the snake? She’s got the most amazing skin. This is the first time I’ve ever held a snake like that. How cool is that?”
FINDING A FIRST CHANCE
This story is from the Issue 47 edition of Royal Britain Presents Royal Life.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Issue 47 edition of Royal Britain Presents Royal Life.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
THE ROYALS AT CHRISTMAS
The Royal Family traditionally spends Christmas and New Year at Sandringham House, the King’s country estate in Norfolk.
PRINCESS BEATRICE AT RAINBOW TRUST
Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice joined hundreds of guests at the stunning St Paul’s Church, Knightsbridge on December 7th for Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity’s much-loved annual London Carol Concert.
THE KING'S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE AND A CORONATION CARD
If there is one family that knows how to stick to a tradition at Christmas time, it is the Royal Family.
The Royal Green Lungs of London.
The Royal Parks are famously called “the lungs of London” but they are also its heart. There are eight of them in all, and every one is open to the public. In the first of a 2-part feature we look into the rich historical background of some of the most famous urban parks in the world...
THE STATE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT
His Majesty the King, accompanied by Her Majesty The Queen, recently opened Parliament for the first time since his Accession. We look back at the history of this historic ceremony which is steeped in tradition and symbolism...
KEEPING UP A CHRISTMAS TRADITION
The Prince and Princess of Wales, along with their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis celebrated the festive season with their now traditional Together at Christmas carol service...
THE KING AND QUEEN IN KENYA
Inlate.October King Charles, joined by Queen Camilla, embarked on a four-day visit to Kenya, addressing issues related to the climate crisis, education and the importance of national security, as well as Britain’s colonial past...
KING CHARLES HOSTS A KOREAN STATE VISIT
The President of the Republic of Korea, His Excellency Yoon Suk Yeol, accompanied by Mrs Kim Keon Hee, paid a State Visit to the UK as the guest of His Majesty the King from 21st to 23rd November 2023.
KING AND QUEEN VISIT POUNDBURY
The King and Queen travelled to Poundbury in Dorset on June 27th to open a new garden named after the King’s late father, Prince Philip
PRINCE HELPS THE HOMELESS
Prince William recently launched a major five-year campaign to end homelessness, which he says should not exist in a “modern and progressive society.”