Kate Middleton and Prince William visit Rothesay on the Isle of Bute, the town that shares a name with their Scottish titles, during their latest royal away day.
Prince William and Kate Middleton travelled to the Isle of Bute for a royal visit focused on community, volunteering and connection.
Prince William and Kate Middleton have continued their royal duties with a meaningful trip to Scotland, visiting the town that shares its name with the titles they use while north of the border.
The Prince and Princess of Wales, both 44, travelled to the Isle of Bute on Thursday, 17 September, marking their first official visit to the island. At the centre of their schedule was Rothesay, a particularly significant destination for the couple: in Scotland, William and Kate are known as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay. The Royal Family’s official diary also lists them under those titles for the visit.
Their latest Scottish away day follows a visit to the Isles of Mull and Iona last year and was designed to highlight the importance of community, connection and volunteering in island life.
For the occasion, Kate and William coordinated their wardrobes in autumnal shades. The Princess opted for an olive green roll-neck jumper, while William wore a jacket in a similar colour.
William and Kate discover life on the Isle of Bute
The couple began their engagements at Bute Shinty Club in Rothesay, where they learnt more about one of Scotland’s oldest traditional sports. Founded in 1946, the club has become an important part of island life and is operated entirely by volunteers, including a number of former players.
Their programme also included time with local residents and organisations helping to preserve Bute’s natural environment.
William and Kate were also scheduled to visit the community-owned Anchor Tavern in Port Bannatyne, where the focus turned to the importance of everyday social interaction and the role local meeting places can play in maintaining connections within smaller communities. The engagement is included in the Royal Family’s official diary for 17 September.
The trip comes during a busy period for the Prince and Princess of Wales, who have continued to place their royal work and family at the centre of their public schedule.
William and Kate remain focused on their royal duties
Their visit also comes against the backdrop of renewed attention surrounding Prince Harry and Meghan Markle following their return to Britain last month. According to royal author Simon Vigar, William and Kate’s approach has been to “keep calm and carry on”, viewing the situation as separate from their own priorities.
William’s relationship with his younger brother reportedly remains strained. People reports that King Charles and Harry have spoken since the Sussexes returned to Britain but have not met, while no comparable reconciliation between William and Harry has taken place.
Royal commentators quoted by the publication suggested that next year’s 30th anniversary of Princess Diana’s death could inevitably renew questions about the brothers’ relationship, although there is currently no indication that a reconciliation is imminent.
