Prince William and Kate have arrived in Cornwall for the start of their two-day mini tour. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who travelled with an entourage of six via private jet, will carry out a day of engagements in Truro and Newquay before checking into a romantic manor house.
William and Kate will spend Thursday night at the picturesque Restormel Manor, a 500-year-old historic house in Lostwithiel that sleeps 18 and can cost up to £6,250 a week to rent. Kate's family the Middletons previously stayed there in 2010, paying roughly £3,000 for their booking over Christmas.
The property is fittingly owned by the Duchy of Cornwall, which funds the public, charitable and private activities of William's father Prince Charles.
© Photo: PAThe purpose of William and Kate's trip is to meet local organisations, businesses and charities, as well as visit a number of Duchy of Cornwall projects.
Aides said that the tour is a "good chance to find out more and meet local people" as William and Kate will one day be named the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, when Charles ascends the throne.
The royals, who left their children Prince George and Princess Charlotte at home, were given a warm welcome on Thursday morning. Locals had waited patiently for hours outside Truro Cathedral, the couple's first stop of the day.
© Photo: Getty ImagesKate dressed for the mild weather, wearing a pale pink Lela Rose dress while William looked smart in a blazer and chinos. The future King was greeted with open arms by one well-wisher Linda Moore, a retired teaching assistant who has met William's late mother Princess Diana.
She told the Duke that he looked like his mum, to which he replied: "My mum was better looking."
She added: "I said 'Can I give you a kiss?' and he said 'You can give me peck on the cheek,' and when Kate came over he said about me 'Watch that woman!'"
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe couple met officials from the diocese of Truro Cathedral, before signing a slate in support of the cathedral's £3.2m fundraising appeal for roof repairs.
William and Kate then paid a visit to Zebs, a safe, friendly and creative space where young people can go to hang out with friends and take part in different activities. Support groups are also on offer to help children and teenagers.
The royals chatted to men's and women's groups and were shown a mental health photography project by a group a girls, which William said was "very impressive".
© Photo: Getty ImagesKate asked the group: "Do any of you know what you would love to be? Do you have some aspirations?"
William added: "It is totally cool not to have that, by the way. It took me an awfully long time to work out what I wanted to be."
The Duchess agreed, saying: "It is so difficult because there's so much out there. It is hard, isn't it, to pinpoint one thing? William is right. I found it difficult as well."
The couple also learnt how Wave Project uses surfing to help reduce anxiety in children, and improve their mental wellbeing, a cause that the royals have long championed.
© Photo: Getty ImagesWilliam and Kate also made a stop at the Healeys Cyder Farm in Penhallow, near Truro, where they indulged in some pre-lunch drinking. The Duchess was invited to pull a pint and giggled as she said: "I've never mastered this!"
Kate handed the 6% Rattler to her cider-loving husband who said it tasted "just like it does in the pub". Owner Joe Healey then brandished bottles of cider that had been matured in variously whiskey, brandy and rum barrels. "Rum?! This is where the engagement really goes downhill!" laughed William.
© Photo: Getty ImagesNevertheless, the couple carried on with gusto, sampling some whiskey, strawberry wine and tangy apple juice. William and Kate were also presented with some gifts for their children - a toy rabbit for Charlotte and a tractor for George.
On Friday they will continue their tour to the picturesque Isles of Scilly, an archipelago made up of over 200 rocks and islands that have been part of the Duchy since the 14th century.
© Photo: Getty ImagesThey will visit St Mary's island to see gig rowing, the quay extension and the famous Tresco Abbey Garden, followed by a stop at St Martin's island to visit a flower farm.
