London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Monday, Aug 25, 2025

Kate hugs former teacher during Cornwall museum visit

Kate hugs former teacher during Cornwall museum visit

The Duchess of Cornwall had a surprise encounter with her former prep school teacher during a visit to the county.

She and the Duke of Cornwall were on their first official joint visit to the county since taking on their new roles.

Jim Embury, now a volunteer at the National Maritime Museum in Falmouth, was among the crowd gathering to greet them.

The Duchess said "Oh my goodness!" and hugged Mr Embury, before adding: "I do recognise you."

She asked: "Are you based here now? And you are volunteering here? Wow. That is such a small world.

"I'm trying to teach my daughter all the things you probably taught me."

The Duchess was surprised to see former teacher Jim Embury, now a volunteer at the National Maritime Museum in Falmouth


Speaking after the meeting, Mr Embury said he taught Kate history in the mid-1990s.

Asked what sort of pupil she was, he replied: "I have to say fantastic.

"It was a great class and she was a great participant and a great kid. It was 25 years ago."

Also in the crowd was a protester holding a blank sheet of paper, who shouted "No more monarchy!" at the couple.

The man, who did not want to give his name, was held back by police who he said "were worried that people were going to get annoyed and attack".

Speaking afterwards, he added: "It is the 21st Century. We don't need a monarchy - it's ridiculous."

At the museum the royal couple met volunteers working on boats including the Kiwi, a 14ft sailing dinghy presented to the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh as a wedding present.

The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall have had a number of engagements in Falmouth


They tried their hand at riveting on a Helford Delta Class boat dating back to the 1940s, made of mahogany and oak.

William said: "It's probably safer if you show us - we don't want to be the ones who put a hole in it."

As they lined up to have a go, he told his wife: "Make sure you do the right one; it's a bit like that Only Fools And Horses sketch with the chandeliers."

The couple met people supported by Young and Talented Cornwall, which provides financial support to young people in the county.

The Duke and Duchess played table tennis at the Dracaena Centre


Poppy Luxton, 16, who is being funded through the scheme for her sailing, said: "They were saying how their children go sailing on the dinghy... She was saying she really thinks sport and getting outdoors is great for children."

William and Kate discussed the benefits of music with Imogen Dowse, 18, a cellist and singer, who performed as the couple walked through the museum.

Miss Dowse, a chorister at Truro Cathedral, said: "We spoke about how music has life-changing benefits on mental health and educational development. They are trying to get their children into playing musical instruments... I recommended the cello."

In November, William made his first official visit to Cornwall since taking the title Duke of Cornwall.

William, who is still Duke of Cambridge, became the heir apparent, and the Prince of Wales, after the death of his grandmother and the accession of his father Charles to the throne.

The couple visited the Dracaena Centre, a community hub where people can access a wide range of support and services


Kate is now known as the Princess of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge.


Duchess of Cornwall does the hokey cokey


Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Vietnam Evacuates Hundreds of Thousands as Typhoon Kajiki Strikes; China’s Sanya Shuts Down
UK Government Delays Decision on China’s Proposed London Embassy Amid Concerns Over Redacted Plans
A 150-Year Tradition to Be Abolished? Uproar Over the Popular Central Park Attraction
A new faith called Robotheism claims artificial intelligence isn’t just smart but actually God itself
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner Purchases Third Property Amid Housing Tax Reforms Debate
HSBC Switzerland Ends Relationships with Over 1,000 Clients from Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Qatar, and Egypt
Sharia Law Made Legally Binding in Austria Despite Warnings Over 'Incompatible' Values
Italian Facebook Group Sharing Intimate Images Without Consent Shut Down Amid Police Investigation
Dutch Foreign Minister Resigns Amid Deadlock Over Israel Sanctions
Trump and Allies Send Messages of Support to Ukraine on Independence Day Amid Ongoing Conflict
China Reels as Telegram Chat Group Shares Hidden-Camera Footage of Women and Children
Sam Nicoresti becomes first transgender comedian to win Edinburgh Comedy Award
Builders uncover historic human remains in Lancashire house renovation
Australia Wants to Tax Your Empty Bedrooms
MotoGP Cameraman Narrowly Avoids Pedro Acosta Crash at Hungarian Grand Prix
FBI Investigates John Bolton Over Classified Documents in High-Profile Raids
Report reveals OpenAI pitched national ChatGPT Plus subscription to UK ministers
Labour set to freeze income tax thresholds in long-term 'stealth' tax raid
Coca‑Cola explores sale of Costa coffee chain
Trial hears dog walker was chased and fatally stabbed by trio
Restaurateur resigns from government hospitality council over tax criticism
Spanish City funfair shut after serious ride injury
Suspected arson at Ilford restaurant leaves three in critical condition
Tottenham beat Manchester City to go top of Premier League
Bank holiday heatwave to hit 30°C before remnants of Hurricane Erin arrive
UK to deploy immigration advisers to West Africa to block fake visas
Nurse who raped woman continued working for a year despite police alert
Drought forces closures of England’s canal routes, canceling boat holidays
Sweet tooth scents: food-inspired perfumes surge as weight-loss drugs suppress appetites
Experts warn Britain dangerously reliant on imported food
Family of Notting Hill Carnival murder victim call event unmanageable
Bunkers, Billions and Apocalypse: The Secret Compounds of Zuckerberg and the Tech Giants
Ukraine Declares De Facto War on Hungary and Slovakia with Terror Drone Strikes on Their Gas Lifeline
Animated K-pop Musical ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Becomes Netflix’s Most-Watched Original Animated Film
New York Appeals Court Voids Nearly $500 Million Civil Fraud Penalty Against Trump While Upholding Fraud Liability
Elon Musk tweeted, “Europe is dying”
Far-Right Activist Convicted of Incitement Changes Gender and Demands: "Send Me to a Women’s Prison" | The Storm in Germany
Hungary Criticizes Ukraine: "Violating Our Sovereignty"
Will this be the first country to return to negative interest rates?
Child-free hotels spark controversy
North Korea is where this 95-year-old wants to die. South Korea won’t let him go. Is this our ally or a human rights enemy?
Hong Kong Launches Regulatory Regime and Trials for HKD-Backed Stablecoins
China rehearses September 3 Victory Day parade as imagery points to ‘loyal wingman’ FH-97 family presence
Trump Called Viktor Orbán: "Why Are You Using the Veto"
Horror in the Skies: Plane Engine Exploded, Passengers Sent Farewell Messages
MSNBC Rebrands as MS NOW Amid Comcast’s Cable Spin-Off
AI in Policing: Draft One Helps Speed Up Reports but Raises Legal and Ethical Concerns
Shame in Norway: Crown Princess’s Son Accused of Four Rapes
Apple Begins Simultaneous iPhone 17 Production in India and China
A Robot to Give Birth: The Chinese Announcement That Shakes the World
×