Prince William shared with children at Woodgate Valley Urban Farm, near Birmingham, a task his children often forget to complete while looking after their pets.
Prince William shared a glimpse inside his family life with Princess Kate and his three children during a royal visit to Woodgate Valley Urban Farm, near Birmingham, on April 25.
The centre is dedicated to supporting young people and children struggling to access education, and those experiencing mental health challenges.
Prince William, 41, shared an insight into his family life while chatting with the children. He said: “I spend my life cleaning out the guinea pig cage because the children forget to do it.”
Stroking a guinea pig called Snowflake, William commented that the pets looked “well-loved” and “extremely cosy”.
While visiting the facility, Prince William met Sue Hawkswood, the project manager, whose idea it was to create the farm to help children with special needs, and the Prince described the initiative as a “wonderful little tranquil space”.
Prince William also visited the sheep enclosure. As he bent down to stroke one of the animals he chatted to Ms Hawkswood’s son, Alfie. The Prince told Alfie that he thought it was “very important” to talk to sheep and ask them how they are feeling.
The day was jam-packed with the royal also heading down to the chicken coop where the Prince revealed he had chickens that loved eating dried fruit.
Ms Hawkswood also admitted that some of the children who visit the farm have been unable to access education and have such poor mental health that they are self-harming or refuse to leave their homes.
Currently funded by the National Lottery, the farm supports small groups currently out of education as well as sibling groups from a local children’s hospice.
Prince William helped prepare lunch for the animals
It was an extremely busy day for the royal, as ahead of the visit to Woodgate Valley Urban Farm, Prince William surprised a 12-year-old pupil at his school in Sandwell, much to the boy’s delight.
He decided to visit St Michael’s Church of England High School in Rowley Regis. Pupil Freddie Hadley, had previously invited the Prince to the school on World Mental Health Day in October, but the Prince was unable to visit that month.
During a chat with pupils, William even revealed Princess Charlotte’s favourite ‘knock knock’ joke, which was received with laughter and clapping.
At the visit, the Prince of Wales told a staff member at the school that Kate would have been keen to attend the event had she not been undergoing preventative chemotherapy.
The Princess of Wales bravely opened up about her cancer diagnosis in March, during which she praised her husband for being “a great source of comfort and reassurance”.
