Prince William smiled and chuckled as he joined volunteers on board a charity’s distribution van today, preparing to deliver meals to local projects alongside the team.
In his first public event since Kate Middleton announced she is being treated for cancer, the Prince of Wales was on hand to help the Surplus to Supper crew based in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey.
In a video clip posted to Instagram, the royal can be seen squeezing into the front seat of a van dressed in a hi-vis jacket as the team get ready to hand deliver freshly cooked meals to organisations in need.
The post was captioned: ‘On the road with Surplus to Supper as they deliver freshly-cooked meals to local projects.
’10 tonnes of surplus food is prepared and distributed by the brilliant volunteers at Surplus To Supper every week – a pleasure to join them today.’
Prince William donned a hi-vis jacket and squeezed into the distribution van to join volunteers delivering meals to local projects
William’s smiling co-workers appeared delighted to have the Prince in tow with one of them turning to him to say ‘Welcome aboard!’.
The royal threw himself into the work, carting crates full of food back and forth and handing them over to the recipients at each destination.
William also joined the teams inside the kitchen, putting on an apron and diligently chopping celery for a huge chilli-con-carne intended to feed hundreds.
While he was working in the kitchen, he chatted to volunteers who were keen to explain their motivations for working with the charity.
Asked how his day has been so far, the Prince replied: ‘Good, it’s very inspiring getting to see everything going on over there.’
Claire Hopkins from Surplus to Supper explained the mission of the organisation: ‘We make meals using surplus food. We use what we have in a “Ready, Steady, Cook” type of vibe and we make about 2,500 meals a week.
‘By having the variety of food that we do and understanding the projects and exactly what they need, we can make sure that we give the right amount of food to the right people, making sure that their access and what they need, so there is no waste.
While working with the Surplus to Supper team today, Prince William promised to ‘look after’ the Princess of Wales as he made his first public appearance since her cancer announcement one month ago.
William also joined the teams inside the kitchen, putting on an apron and diligently chopping celery for a huge chilli-con-carne intended to feed hundreds
The Prince threw himself into the work, carting crates of food back and forth and handing them to recipients
William told the other volunteers that he found the work of Surplus to Supper very inspiring
Volunteer Rachel Candappa, 71, handed two get well soon cards to William, addressed to the King and Kate. The Prince, who looked visibly moved, told her: ‘Oh some cards, oh, you’re very kind. Thank you very much, that’s very kind of you.’
The Prince touched the shoulder of Ms Candappa after she handed over the cards and then quickly moved on the subject – pointing at some food, and saying: ‘You’ve got some spaghetti hoops? I’ve got children, I love spaghetti hoops.’
The Prince spoke to the volunteers as he returned to public duties for the first time since Kate revealed on March 22 that she was undergoing chemotherapy treatment.
One fan hoping to meet William outside told BBC News: ‘I’m here to pass on regards and best wishes.’ Another said they ‘just want to support his first engagement’ since Kate’s announcement. And a third praised his work as a ‘great thing he’s doing’.
The 41-year-old, who lives in nearby Windsor, later travelled in a van to a youth centre at Feltham in West London which benefits from Surplus to Supper’s deliveries.
William has spent the past three-and-a-half weeks with his wife and children for the Easter holidays, as the family took time away to process the Princess’s diagnosis.
The Prince last attended a public engagement at an event tackling homelessness in Sheffield on March 19 – three days before Kate’s cancer revelation.
Prince William is given cards for his wife Kate and father King Charles by volunteer Rachel Candappa during a visit to Surplus to Supper in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey, this afternoon
Prince William makes bolognaise sauce at Surplus to Supper in Sunbury-on-Thames today
William sits in a delivery van during a visit to Surplus to Supper in Sunbury-on-Thames today
The Prince delivers supplies to the Hanworth Centre Hub in Feltham, West London, today
Prince William cuts celery today during a visit to Surplus to Supper in Sunbury-on-Thames
The Prince of Wales during a visit to the Hanworth Centre Hub youth centre in Feltham today
Speaking afterwards, Ms Candappa, of Sunbury-on-Thames, said: ‘I said take care of her and he said ‘I will’.
‘I was at home at 8.30 last night and I thought I had to do something. This is a chance to give a card directly to the palace officials. I didn’t think I’d be able to give the cards to William. I said: ‘Can I shake your hand?’. I loved it, he was very down to earth.
‘I’m never washing my hand again. He pointed at the food and said ‘that’s spaghetti hoops’ and I asked ‘how do you know about spaghetti hoops’ and he said ‘I’ve got children’.
When William arrived at the site, which is based at Sunbury Cricket Club, he told his hosts that his son Prince Louis ‘loves’ cricket while being introduced to them.
Inside, the Prince witnessed volunteers sorting out goodies including soaps, hand wash and make-up and was surprised to see a rose collagen mist spray.
He told host Claire Hopkins, operations director of Surplus to Supper, he was surprised ‘how much we throw away’ as he witnessed all goodies being reused.
The Prince also helped out in the kitchen with chef Mario Colfait who was making bolognese, sausage casserole and chilli con carne.
Prince William watches as toiletries are packed during a visit to Surplus to Supper today
Prince William helps to loads trays of food into vans in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey, today
Some of the bags that the Prince of Wales delivered from Surplus to Supper in Feltham today
Prince William makes bolognaise sauce at Surplus to Supper in Sunbury-on-Thames today
William sits in a delivery van during a visit to Surplus to Supper in Sunbury-on-Thames today
Prince William carries food with Surplus to Supper operations director Claire Hopkins today
Prince William arrives for a visit to Surplus to Supper in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey, today
He pulled on an apron and called out: ‘It smells good in here, Mario.’
William was then handed a massive knife and asked to slice celery for the pot in the kitchen, which cooks ‘culturally-appropriate’ food that is then delivered to families in the area.
William joked he was worried about slicing his off fingers. He said: ‘It’s the biggest knife, hope for the best. I don’t want to mess up everyone’s lunch. I hope I haven’t ruined your lunch, but you can blame me.’
Watching volunteers pack up food for the needy, he said: ‘It’s amazing the amount of food and variety.’
Speaking about his cooking s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s, William told volunteers: ‘Mario took one look at my chopping and said ‘move on’.
‘I’m never normally trusted with a knife I’d cut my finger off. You all do a fantastic job and all this food is making my tummy rumble.’
The Prince had privately given the charity a box of unused food pilfered from the kitchen cupboards at Adelaide Cottage.
William and Kate donated a crate of pasta, potatoes and tinned soup.
The Prince delivers supplies to the Hanworth Centre Hub in Feltham, West London, today
Prince William meets workers during a visit to Surplus to Supper in Sunbury-on-Thames today
Prince William helps to loads trays of food into vans in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey, today
Prince William is shown items by Surplus to Supper operations director Claire Hopkins today
William sits in a delivery van during a visit to Surplus to Supper in Sunbury-on-Thames today
The food, which he gave as a gesture of support to the charity, is set to be delivered to the Hampton Hub which has a food bank.
Afterwards, Ms Candappa said she only finished writing her get well soon cards at 1am this morning.
She also revealed the text she had written inside the card said: ‘Nation’s hearts were broken when you very courageously went on the global stage on your own to talk about your personal health issues.
‘With no trimmings or flowering around issues, you gave the chance just few chosen words to assure anyone who cares to listen that you will fight this dreadful ‘C’ disease. You must have had a lot of steel in you to hold it together.
‘Your Royal Highness you are going to beat this with the support of your dutiful and loving husband, caring parents and very close siblings.
William talks to van drivers during a visit to Surplus to Supper in Sunbury-on-Thames today
Prince William cuts celery today during a visit to Surplus to Supper in Sunbury-on-Thames
The Prince delivers supplies to the Hanworth Centre Hub in Feltham, West London, today
The Prince of Wales visits the surplus food redistribution charity in Surrey this afternoon
Prince William makes bolognaise sauce at Surplus to Supper in Sunbury-on-Thames today
Prince William meets workers during a visit to Surplus to Supper in Sunbury-on-Thames today
‘It’s no miracle not only His Majesty the King but the whole world is proud how you are focusing on to keep healthy and protect your children through this difficult times.
