The Prince and Princess of Wales won't be home for their wedding anniversary this year. Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis' parents will instead be celebrating 14 years of marriage next week on the Isle of Mull.
The pair's visit to the Scottish Isles will commence on Tuesday, the day of their anniversary (April 29). On day one, Prince William and Catherine, known as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay in Scotland, will travel to the town of Tobermory, where they will visit Aros Hall, a local community hub, and tour an artisan market. The Prince and Princess will also go to a local croft to learn about sustainable farming and hospitality on the island.
The day after their anniversary, the royal couple will visit an ancient woodland to meet the Mull and Iona Ranger Service, which is said to play a vital role in conservation, biodiversity protection, visitor management and education on the islands. The second day of their visit to the Scottish Isles will also see the Prince and Princess join a local school group as they take part in outdoor learning, and take a public ferry to the Isle of Iona.
Kensington Palace has said that "during their visit to the Scottish Isles, Their Royal Highnesses will spend time with members of the local community reflecting on the power of social connection and the importance of protecting and championing the natural environment, two subjects which are close to both of Their Royal Highnesses’ hearts."
The couple’s trip marks a return to where their love story first began: Scotland. Prince William and Catherine met while studying at the University of St. Andrews. “We were friends for over a year first and it just sort of blossomed from then on,” William said during their engagement interview. “We just spent more time with each other had a good giggle, had lots of fun and realized we shared the same interests and just had a really good time.”
The Prince also admitted in the interview, “When I first met Kate I knew there was something very special about her. I knew there was possibly something that I wanted to explore there. But we ended up being friends for a while and that was a good foundation.”
William and Catherine went on to get engaged in 2010 during a private holiday in Kenya and were married at Westminster Abbey in 2011.
When Catherine was going through chemotherapy last year, she said having William by her side was "a great source of comfort and reassurance."
Earlier this year, the Prince of Wales praised his wife's strength in a heartfelt message for her birthday. In a personal message to Catherine, who completed her chemotherapy treatment last year, William penned: "To the most incredible wife and mother. The strength you’ve shown over the last year has been remarkable. George, Charlotte, Louis and I are so proud of you. Happy Birthday, Catherine. We love you. W."