Victoria Ward
London: Legs and arms entangled, smiles wide and squinting in the sunshine, this is Team Wales as they embark on their next chapter.
The Prince and Princess of Wales released the new family portrait to mark their 15th wedding anniversary on Wednesday.
The photograph, taken in Cornwall over Easter, shows the couple relaxed and happy, lying in the sunshine in the grass alongside their three children.
Laughing together in shorts and T-shirts, the informal family snap depicts a happy and united Wales family as they embark on their “new chapter” after a difficult few years.
The photograph, taken by Matt Porteous, one of the couple’s favoured photographers, was posted on their social media channels accompanied by the caption: “Celebrating 15 years of marriage.”
Prince William, to the left, is stroking Orla, the family’s black cocker spaniel, while smiling at Prince George, 12, who appears to be engaging him in conversation.
The princess, lying on her back, smiling happily, links her arm affectionately with her elder son while holding hands with her youngest, Prince Louis, eight, whose legs are draped protectively over hers.
Princess Charlotte, 10, is similarly relaxed, turning towards her brother, foreheads touching, with a beaming smile.
The image also shows the family’s latest addition – their 10-month-old puppy, whose name has not yet been revealed. The dog was among a litter of four born to Orla last year.
The puppies were pictured with Prince William on his birthday last June, when it was confirmed the family intended to keep one of them.
Orla was a gift from the princess’ brother, James Middleton, in 2020. The family’s first dog, Lupo, given to the prince and princess by Middleton as a “belated wedding present” in December 2011, died in 2020.
Sources close to the prince and princess have spoken recently of their tight bond and unwavering mutual support as they celebrate 15 years of marriage.
The couple is united in their determination to put family first, to create a stable, happy, wholesome home life for their three children that is as normal as possible. Much of their time is devoted to the usual back-and-forth of school runs, sports matches, parties and play dates.
Having come through the death of Elizabeth II, with the princess now in remission from cancer and the King enjoying a full working life, despite his own diagnosis, they are said to be excited about the future and looking forward.
Now settled in Forest Lodge, their “forever” home in the grounds of Windsor Great Park, the couple will mark their anniversary privately.
The new image marks the second glimpse of the family’s Easter break in Cornwall.
Earlier this month, Kensington Palace released a photograph and a video of Prince Louis digging in the sand, playing cricket and jumping into the sea from a boat to mark his eighth birthday.
The family regularly visit the Isles of Scilly, and stays on the largest island, Tresco. In 2016, the prince relived happy childhood memories on the Scillies, where he spent holidays with his mother.
Charity visit to mark anniversary
The Prince and Princess marked their anniversary with a private visit to IntoUniversity, an education charity that benefited from their royal wedding charitable gift fund in 2011.
The couple spent about 30 minutes with year 5 pupils at the charity’s centre in Walworth, south-east London, where they were pictured chatting and laughing with those involved in its free program of educational activities and workshops.
After the visit, the prince and princess had lunch at The Goring, the central London hotel where the princess stayed the night before their wedding.
Rachel Carr, IntoUniversity’s chief executive and co-founder, said: “Fifteen years ago, their royal highnesses’ royal wedding gift fund provided generous support at a crucial moment for IntoUniversity.
“It not only helped us to continue our work, but also gave us the confidence to grow. Today, we are supporting tens of thousands of young people across the UK each year, and it was a privilege to share a part of that work with their royal highnesses in person.
“We remain deeply grateful for the support of the royal wedding gift fund, which has had a lasting impact on so many lives, and to their royal highnesses for visiting IntoUniversity Walworth. It was a truly memorable day for our young people and the charity, one we will be talking about for years to come.”
More than £1 million ($1.8 million) was donated to the fund by members of the public in 2011.
The money was distributed among 26 good causes personally chosen by the prince and princess, which included an anti-bullying charity and support for the armed forces and their families.
The Telegraph, London
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