william kate food bank© Photo: Getty Images

Prince William and Princess Kate help out at Windsor food bank - best photos

The Prince and Princess of Wales helped to pack food parcels

Online Royal CorrespondentLondon
Updated: January 26, 2023

The Prince and Princess of Wales rolled up their sleeves to help out at a Windsor food bank on Thursday

Prince William and Kate visited Windsor Foodshare, close to their Berkshire home, where they heard more about the support the organisation provides to individuals and families living in the local area. The Waleses also helped to pack food parcels for the charity's client, and William also couldn't help teasing his wife a little - see their hands-on engagement in the video below. 

WATCH: Prince William and Princess Kate help out at Windsor food bank

Their joint outing comes the day after Kate teased an upcoming exciting new project at a meeting she held at Windsor Castle. 

See all of the best photos from William and Kate's joint outing...

© Photo: Getty Images

The Prince and Princess of Wales praised Windsor Foodshare's volunteers for the "vital" work they do during their visit. 

Kate revealed that their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, are also aware of the project as it is supported by their new school, Lambrook. 

Marking its 10th anniversary later this year, Windsor Foodshare provides short-term weekly help in the form of food parcels containing ambient foods, bread, eggs, fresh fruit and vegetables to any local household where there is a likelihood of an individual or family going  hungry due to a lack of funds.

Toiletries and cleaning products are also provided on a monthly basis. The organisation, which forms part of Windsor Christian Action, is completely reliant on monetary and food donations from individuals, businesses and local retail outlets.

© Photo: Getty Images

The Prince and Princess met those involved in running the service to learn more about the support they provide to those in need, and about the charity's founding principles which centre around treating everyone as equals and making no judgements on their circumstances.  

© Photo: Getty Images

William and Kate speaking about the project with organisers. 

© Photo: Getty Images

The couple helped to pack parcels with tinned and long-life goods, as well as fresh fruit, vegetables and bread. 

© Photo: Getty Images

As the Princess sorted tins of spaghetti she bombarded volunteers with questions, such as how how many clients are helped each week.

William stopped by and teased his wife: "There's too much nattering going on here! We need to speed things up a bit! I've already learnt who the chatty ones are here."

In return Kate teased him about his loading of the trolley. "It was a bit of a mess," her husband said with mock sheepishness. 

"This really is a wonderful place for bringing people together," the Princess remarked.

© Photo: Getty Images

William and Kate heard about the impact that the rising cost of living has had on the demand for the service, which operates on a referral basis from a variety of sources such as  schools, doctors, social services, churches and community wardens.

In 2022 the charity helped to feed over 7,000 local residents, an increase of 18 per cent from the previous year's support, meaning that on average 150 people receive food per week from Windsor Foodshare.

© Photo: Getty Images

As they left the couple promised to return, William saying: "We would love to come back without the entourage."

"Lovely to meet you, Sarah, and the team," Kate enthused, laughing as the organiser told them that one had definitely been a better packer than the other but she didn't like to say whom. 

"And one's a better cook than the other," William added jokily.

Volunteer Jane Willocks said afterwards: "They were a lovely couple. Clearly very well briefed but so keen to get involved and hear about what we are doing. 

"Kate in particularly wanted to know about the quality and the quantity of food. She asked a lot of questions about the tinned meat, which doesn't look that appetising but obviously we can't serve fresh. And she was really impressed with the fact that we offer some fresh food such as fruit and vegetables and eggs.

"They were both also really taken about the respect we offer people, our clients. And Kate liked the fact that we have children in here and learn very early on that others are not as fortunate as them."

© Photo: Getty Images

The Princess wore a repeat pink coat and matching high-neck knit by Hobbs London and a pair of wide-legged trousers from Jigsaw. 

The couple tweeted after their visit: "Wonderful to spend some time with volunteers at Windsor Foodshare this morning. 

"The donations and food packages make such a difference to those in the local area who need them. 

"Hope we were more of a help than a hindrance when it came to the packing!"

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