Prince William shows his paternal side as he bonds with children on a visit to Kensington Memorial Park - whilst brother Harry does the same across town 

  • The father-of-two talked to local school children during a visit to Kensington Memorial Park
  • The royal was there to officially mark the dedication of the park by the Royal Borough of London & Chelsea
  • The father-of-two got stuck into his royal duty, planting seeds with the little ones
  • His brother, Prince Harry, was across town fulfilling his own royal duties 

By Bianca London for MailOnline

Published: 11:28 EST, 10 November 2016 | Updated: 09:27 EST, 11 November 2016

He's a doting father to two young children so it's hardly surprising that Prince William displayed his paternal side on a royal visit on Thursday.

The father-of-two, who shares Prince George and Princess Charlotte with the Duchess of Cambridge, talked to local school children during a visit to Kensington Memorial Park.

The dapper royal was there to officially mark the dedication of the park by the Royal Borough of London & Chelsea to the Centenary Fields programme.

Prince William, as President of Fields in Trust, visited Kensington Memorial Park to officially mark the dedication of the park by the Royal Borough of London & Chelsea to the Centenary Fields programme

The royal got stuck into his duty, planting seeds with the little ones and chatting to adorable youngsters who presented him with homemade paper poppies ahead of Remembrance Day.

The Prince also chatted to war veterans and made a speech about his work with the Fields in Trust Centenary Fields programme.

In the speech, he said: 'Two years ago I launched the Fields in Trust Centenary Fields programme in Coventry.

'And as we reach the midway point of the commemorative period for the Great War, Fields in Trust continues to build a living legacy to the fallen by protecting Centenary Fields in perpetuity as places for play, sport and recreation.

'At this time of year, formal acts of remembrance become a major part of our public life. This remembrance is often focused at the war memorials of village greens and town centres throughout the country, and in some cases in parks such as this - Kensington Memorial Park - opened by Princess Louise ninety years ago.'

The father-of-two got stuck into his royal duty, chatting to adorable youngsters who had made him cut-out poppies ahead of Remembrance Day

Prince William talked to local school children during a visit to Kensington Memorial Park to officially mark the dedication of the park

The father-of-two, who shares Prince George and Princess Charlotte with the Duchess of Cambridge, talked to local school children during a visit to Kensington Memorial Park

The royal got stuck in and helped the little ones plant some flowers in the grounds 

This park, and scores like it across the UK will honour the fallen of World War I by safeguarding memorial parks and gardens as public spaces to be valued and enjoyed by their local community

The royal had a look of concentration on his face as he joined the school children planting the seeds

The prince was clearly unphased at the prospect of getting his knees dirty as he helped the children this afternoon 

The wet weather did not appear to deter His Majesty this afternoon as he arrived with a smile on his face

He continued to explain that, in keeping with the original intent of the park, the trust rededicates the land as a space of public remembrance – a Centenary Field. 

This, and scores like it across the UK will honour the fallen of World War I by safeguarding memorial parks and gardens as public spaces to be valued and enjoyed by their local community. 

He concluded: 'I take this opportunity to thank the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea for their support for this programme. In the two years remaining until the anniversary of the first Armistice Day, Fields in Trust will be working with more Local Authorities such as this one to secure more recreational spaces as Centenary Fields.

'They will succeed, but only if they have help, so I urge others to support this important cause and protect these living spaces of remembrance for generations to come.

'Now, I am delighted to dedicate Kensington Memorial Park as a Centenary Field.'

The father-of-two gave the youngsters a thumbs up for their remembrance poppy drawings that they presented to him 

The little ones seemed delighted to see the monarch and many had made their own poppies ahead of Remembrance Day

The royal seemed rather taken with a sweet girl in a cute animal hat and pink jacket as he crouched down to chat

The Prince also chatted to war veterans and made a speech about his work with the Fields in Trust Centenary Fields programme

In the speech, he said: 'Two years ago I launched the Fields in Trust Centenary Fields programme in Coventry. 'And as we reach the midway point of the commemorative period for the Great War, Fields in Trust continues to build a living legacy to the fallen by protecting Centenary Fields in perpetuity as places for play, sport and recreation'

Prince William, The Duke of Cambridge, as President of Fields in Trust, visited Kensington Memorial Park

In his speech, William concluded: 'I take this opportunity to thank the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea for their support for this programme. In the two years remaining until the anniversary of the first Armistice Day, Fields in Trust will be working with more Local Authorities such as this one to secure more recreational spaces as Centenary Fields'

The father-of-two chatted to war veterans and local schoolchildren during his day out in Kensington 

PRINCE WILLIAM'S SPEECH IN FULL 


Two years ago I launched the Fields in Trust Centenary Fields programme in Coventry.

And as we reach the midway point of the commemorative period for the Great War, Fields in Trust continues to build a living legacy to the fallen by protecting Centenary Fields in perpetuity as places for play, sport and recreation.

At this time of year, formal acts of remembrance become a major part of our public life. This remembrance is often focused at the war memorials of village greens and town centres throughout the country, and in some cases in parks such as this - Kensington Memorial Park - opened by Princess Louise ninety years ago.

Today, in keeping with the original intent of the park we rededicate this land as a space of public remembrance – a Centenary Field. This, and scores like it across the UK will honour the fallen of World War I by safeguarding, forever, memorial parks and gardens as public spaces to be valued and enjoyed by their local community.

Fields in Trust is proud to be partnering with The Royal British Legion in delivering this project across the country and encouraging us all, during this significant period of history, to Rethink Remembrance.

I take this opportunity to thank the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea for their support for this programme. In the two years remaining until the anniversary of the first Armistice Day, Fields in Trust will be working with more Local Authorities such as this one to secure more recreational spaces as Centenary Fields.

They will succeed, but only if they have help, so I urge others to support this important cause and protect these living spaces of remembrance for generations to come.

Now, I am delighted to dedicate Kensington Memorial Park as a Centenary Field.

Across town, his little brother, Prince Harry, was also paying his respects.

Prince Harry today made his first public appearance since he confirmed he's been dating Suits actress Meghan Markle for a 'few months'.

The Prince, 32, who confirmed on Tuesday that he's dating US actress Meghan, showed his doting side as he bonded with a sweet little boy, honouring his fallen uncle, who shook the royal's hand as he met him on a visit to the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey.

The Duke of Cambridge also visited the Willesden New Cemetery to see the work of Living Memory, a Commonwealth War Graves Commission initiative that aims to encourage communities to discover their local war graves and memorials

The visit appeared to be an emotional one for Prince William who looked deep in thought as he paid his respects to the fallen

The royal walks with Michaela McKay, 14, from St Michael's Youth Project, to lay a floral tribute at Willesden New Cemetery

Harry stopped to talk to six-year-old Harrison Degiorgio-Lewis, whose uncle, Lieutenant Aaron Lewis, of 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, was killed in Afghanistan in December 2008 when insurgents attacked a forward operation base he jointly commanded with Danish troops.

The youngster, accompanied by his grandmother, Helen Lewis, was proudly wearing his uncle's campaign medals and his beret and pointed them out to the Prince.

Mrs Lewis said: 'We remember Aaron every day and miss him every day. It was lovely to speak to Prince Harry about Aaron.

'A charity set up in his memory is helping veterans that have been injured, both combat injuries and those with post-traumatic stress disorder.

'Our charity has even helped some of the guys that competed in Harry's Invictus Games and we were talking about that.' 

The prince also met with several youngsters gearing up to play a game of football this afternoon 

Prince William is known to be a football fan himself and was likely envious of the children's kick-about this afternoon

Footie fan Prince William appeared to be giving the two teams some tips ahead of their game this afternoon 

The royal seemed very impressed by a young girl's school work which she showed to the prince today 

The Duke smiles at a pupil after he is presented with a piece of their work that appears to have impressed him 

The royal unveiled a new plaque to celebrate the Kensington Memorial Park And Centenary Fields Projects

Harry stopped to talk to six-year-old Harrison Degiorgio-Lewis, whose uncle, Lieutenant Aaron Lewis, of 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, was killed in Afghanistan in December 2008 when insurgents attacked a forward operation base he jointly commanded with Danish troops

 

Comments (158)

Share what you think

 View all

The comments below have not been moderated.

 View all

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Add your comment

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now