Future British monarch Prince William surprised locals as he traveled to the Isles of Scilly on a new pilot boat to attend a series of engagements.
The Prince and Princess of Wales recounted details of William’s voyage on their official Instagram account as William, known locally as the Duke of Cornwall, arrived at Hughtown Harbor on his new pilot ship, John Guy, named in memory of a long-time Scillonian-born Duchy worker.
The ship, funded by the Duchy of Cornwall, plays a vital role in keeping the island’s waters safe and supporting the daily life of the Scillonian community.
A crowd of excited tourists had gathered to greet the royals on the pier.
William’s opened a new facility at the Isles of Scilly Hospital, where he also met staff and patients, sharing laughter and a cup of tea with care home residents.
He has taken a keen interest in the development of healthcare provision on Scilly since taking over the Duchy when he became Prince of Wales and is interested in increasing the medical capacity of the Isles.
The upgraded facility combines NHS services with social care provision under an integrated model, allowing for more efficient use of shared staff and resources.
William also toured the almost completed construction site where the Duchy is delivering 10 new sustainable homes designed to address the acute housing shortage on the islands.
