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Mental health and greener living is the focus of day two of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s first official visit to the Republic of Ireland.
Wednesday’s engagements began with a visit to Jigsaw, the National Centre for Youth Mental Health.
Their work is particularly close to Prince William’s heart, having spoken in the past about his own struggles following the death of his mother.
On Tuesday, they met the president and taoiseach (prime minister).
They also laid a wreath at Dublin’s Garden of Remembrance – dedicated to those who fought for Irish independence.
The visit is the latest in a series of royal engagements over the past decade aimed at improving Anglo-Irish relations.
‘They had to be ushered away’
On the second day of their Irish trip, the couple are meeting people working for causes that are close to both their hearts – mental health and the environment.
They visited Jigsaw, the National Centre for Youth Mental Health, where they spoke to staff about their work at the charity’s Temple Bar premises.
Children and young people at the centre presented them with gifts.
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Josh and Alba told BBC News NI it was a “surreal experience”.
“We had a good discussion around the stigma of mental health,” said Alba.
“They were so interested in what is done here and so lovely – I think they could have listened all day long,” said Josh.
“They had to be ushered away.”
Historical weight
By Jonny Dymond, BBC royal correspondent
This visit doesn’t have the historic weight of the Queen’s tour in 2011.
Nor is there the celebrity frenzy that sometimes surrounded Harry and Meghan when they came after their engagement was announced in 2018.
But solemnity there certainly was on Tuesday when the duke and duchess followed in the Queen’s footsteps and paid their respects to the heroes of Irish independence at the Garden of Remembrance in central Dublin.
And at the less grandiose events on Wednesday, at organisations whose activities align with William and Kate’s interests, the welcome has been warm.
On Wednesday night, the duke will echo his grandmother’s words in 2011 when he addresses Britain and Ireland’s shared history, its ups and many downs.
All small steps that build the relationship between Britain and Ireland.
James Barry, service manager at Jigsaw, said the couple were “warm and kind”.
“They really wanted to hear about the experience of young people who’ve used the service,” he said.
“I was fortunate enough to speak to Kate and she was really interested in young people’s experiences from an early age and the importance of a parent role.”
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Later they will meet staff from the social justice charity, Extern, before going to Howth Marine Institute to learn about marine sustainability.
Wednesday’s itinerary also includes a visit to Ireland’s Agriculture and Food Development Authority, known as Teagasc.
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The next stop is the Museum of Literature Ireland, which celebrates Ireland’s literary, culture and heritage.
The museum boasts that it is home to “rare gems” from the National Library of Ireland, including “Copy No 1” of Ulysses – James Joyce’s groundbreaking novel set in Dublin.
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The royal couple’s first day in the country began with a warm welcome from Irish President Michael D Higgins and his wife at their official residence, Áras an Uachtaráin.
As is traditional during visits of important guests, the duke and duchess rang the peace bell within the grounds of the estate.
They also met the caretaker taoiseach (prime minister) Leo Varadkar and his partner, Matthew Barrett, at government buildings in the city centre.
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Following in the footsteps of Queen Elizabeth in 2011, the pair travelled to Dublin’s Garden of Remembrance in Dublin.
There, they laid a wreath with a handwritten message which read: “May we never forget the lessons of history as we continue to build a brighter future together.”
Later, they attended a reception at the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, meeting guests from the worlds of sport, film, television and the armed forces.
Like his grandmother, Prince William spoke a few words of Irish, addressing guests by saying: “Ladies and gentlemen, a dhaoine uaisle [noble people].”
But unlike his grandmother, he took up the offer of tasting the Guinness when it was poured for him, uttering the Irish toast “sláinte” [health] as he raised his pint.
The duchess, who has worn several shades of green in tribute to her Irish hosts, also had a diplomatic sip of the black stuff.
Her husband told guests they were both “very much looking forward to our next two days in Ireland, where I have no doubt we will continue to be impressed by the creativity, warmth and hospitality the Irish people have to offer”.
Original Article : HERE ;
from AllAbout https://allabout.pw/mental-health-to-fore-on-day-two-of-royals-visit/
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