Photo: Indigo/Getty Images
Kate Middletonis giving a glimpse into her Valentine’s Day with her husband,Prince William.
The Princess of Wales, 41, chatted about the upcoming holiday during avisit to Leeds Kirkgate Marketin Leeds, England on Feb. 1. She stepped out in the city to promote the kickoff of her newShaping Uscampaign, raising awareness of the importance of a child’s first five years of life. The initiative is part of the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, which Princess Kate launched in June 2021.
The royal stopped at a flower stall at Kirkgate Market, where florist Neil Ashcroft spoke with her about his business and presented her with hyacinths.
Looking ahead to Valentine’s Day, Ashcroft said, “No doubt William will be buying you some red roses.” According to the florist, Princess Kate replied, “I don’t think he will do.”
Alamy Live News
Ashcroft, who has sold flowers at the bustling market for 32 years, said he wished he’d been able to make a sale.
“I offered her a discount. I said I would give her a card and knock off the VAT [tax],” the M&D Flowers owner said, adding that he appreciated his chat with Princess Kate, who “acted very genuine.”
Prince Williamand Princess Kate got married in April 2011, and she previously revealed that her husband sent flowers and a card when they were apart due to his deployment as a Royal Air Force helicopter pilot for their first Valentine’s Day as newlyweds.
Kate continued to move through the market during her visit, chatting with vendors about the early years and connecting with members of the public who were out shopping. Children’s and young people’s interests are at the heart of life in Leeds, which is about 200 miles north of London. The city has the ambition to be the best place in the U.K. for children and young people to grow up.
Princess Kate also has a personal connection to the city — it’s where her father, Michael Middleton, was born, and she has family ancestors in the county of Yorkshire.
Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales.Anthony Devlin/Getty Images
It’s been a busy week for the Princess of Wales, who launched the Shaping Us campaign with alandmark speechon Monday and visited Leeds on Tuesday, while also expanding her social media reach. Princess Katedebuted a new Instagram accountwith the handle@earlychildhoodfor the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, taking the Shaping Us campaign to social media. The feed so far features the initiative’ssignature Claymation movieand Kate on the road in Leeds, with anew videouploaded Tuesday.
Can’t get enough ofPEOPLE’s Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates onKate Middleton,Meghan Markleand more!
Finishing where they left off, Kate concluded, “Which is why our early childhood shapes the adults we become.”
“You may not realise it, but our early childhood shapes everything from the way we form relationships to the way we cope with stress. Huge thanks to our Champions for spreading the message! #ShapingUs,” the caption read.
source: people.com
