The Prince and Princess of Wales pay tribute to the Windrush generation

The Prince and Princess of Wales have visited Cardiff to pay tribute to the Windrush generation and to mark the start of Black History Month.

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William and Catherine met and chatted with members of the Windrush generation – this year marks the 75th anniversary of the first of the Windrush generation arriving in the UK. .Between 1948 and 1973, nearly half a million people emigrated from the Caribbean.

During their meetings with members of the Windrush generation, the Prince and Princess heard about the contributions this generation has had on the Welsh community and how younger generations are creating positive change in today’s times.

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Gracie, an 11-year-old from Howrdian Primary School was asked by the Princess of Wales about what subjects she enjoyed. She later reported “I said I like maths and like our teachers teaching us. And she said I could teach [Prince] George some maths!”

Gracie also said she was enjoying learning about Windrush and she was excited to be representing her school at the royal engagement.

St Paul’s Church in Wales Primary School is known as the area’s most diverse school as more than 33 languages are represented. The headteacher, Ruth Wilson, said of the royal visit: “You can tell they’re young parents as they have real empathy with the children. English may not be the first language for many of our children or they may be shy but the prince and princess re-phrased their questions and what they said to the children accordingly.”

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This isn’t the first time the Prince and Princess have recognised the Windrush generation. On Windrush Day in June 2022, they participated in the unveiling of a memorial to mark this generation in London. Prince William used the event to touch on how “the past weighs heavily on the present.”

In 2018, the U.K. government made Windrush Day (June 22) a national holiday to commemorate the contributions of this generation and their descendants on national life.

William and Catherine’s last visit to Wales was in September when they attended a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II on the first anniversary of her death. They attended a private service at the ancient St David’s Cathedral.