While Prince William and Kate Middleton are due to leave Anglesey next month, the royal couple have made their fondness of the Welsh island known and have said in the past that they will "miss it terribly".Anglesey, in return, has been honoured to welcome the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and residents can proudly say their small island served as the couple's first home together.A local MP has said he wants to create a special garden in celebration of Prince William and Kate, and to show their appreciation for raising the island's profile.
"I shall be writing to the royal household hoping they will endorse it," said local MP Albert Owen, speaking of his garden plans. "I know from correspondence from the royal couple and St James' Palace that they have an affinity for Anglesey. "A designed garden of celebration could be established on the island so that tourists could come and visit year on year," he said.Prince William and Kate's presence on the island has indirectly promoted Anglesey as a tourist destination, bringing in an estimated 140,000 extra visitors per year. Local businesses have also been given a boost with the influx of visitors.Just last week Kate delighted locals when she made a surprise appearance alongside her husband who was due to open a three-day marathon that sees runners circumnavigate Anglesey. The Duke of Cambridge rang the bell to begin the gruelling 135-mile ultra marathon and the new parents cheered the brave runners on their way.When Prince William opened the Anglesey show on 15 August, he confirmed to crowds that he and Kate would sadly be saying farewell to the place they called their first home, as he nears the end of his tour of duty.
The first-time father spoke candidly of his love for the island and its residents ."I know that I speak for Catherine when I say I have never in my life known somewhere as beautiful and as welcoming as Anglesey," said Prince William. "I know that both of us will miss it terribly when my search and rescue tour of duty comes to an end next month and we have to move elsewhere. "From the bottom of my heart, thank you for making my wife and me so welcome when we arrived here, as you do thousands of visitors each year. "This island had been our first home together, and it will always be an immensely special place for us both. Catherine and I look forward to returning again and again over the coming years with our family."
