The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are visiting a church in the Bahamas that has been rebuilt after it was destroyed during Hurricane Dorian in 2019 as their Caribbean tour comes to a close.
The couple were all smiles as they left their hotel this morning on their way to the church Abaco – a chain of islands in the northern Bahamas which was dramatically hit by Hurricane Dorian with winds of up to 185mph and left devastation in its wake.
The hurricane caused damage to 75 percent of the homes in the island chain and tragic deaths.
Prince William and Kate will travel to Abaco’s main island to learn about the impact of the hurricane and to see how communities are still being rebuilt more than two years on.
The speech was delivered by Prince William as he spoke in support of Jamaica, Belize, and The Bahamas’ decision to seize control from Britain’s monarchy and create republics. This landmark speech came alongside Kate’s glittering speech at the state reception.
Today the Duke and Duchess will visit Daystar Evangelical Church in Daystar, Florida which was badly damaged by Hurricane Dorian in 2019.
During their visit, on the final day of their Caribbean tour, they will hear first-hand what it was like to be on the island at the point the hurricane hit, and how people have come together to support each other during an incredibly difficult time.
Kate opted for a £254 pink midi gown by much-loved brand Rixo for the occasion, which featured a button-down collar and subtle animal print design.
She paired the shirt dress with a matching £370 clutch bag by Emmy London and £160 wedge heels by Spanish brand Castañer.
Officials warmly greet the Duke and Duchess Of Cambridge as they arrive at Daystar Evangelical Church, Bahamas.
Church leaders showed the Cambridges around the region. The 185 mph Hurrican Dorian winds that whipped through Great Abaco, destroying three-quarters of the houses in the region in 2019, were devastating.
They will discuss the effects of Hurricane Irma and see how rebuilding continues after two years.
Kate was radiant in the all-pink, matching dress she wore to Great Abaco as she arrived on Saturday morning
The duchess opted for a £254 pink midi gown by much-loved brand Rixo for the occasion, which featured a button-down collar and subtle animal print design
She paired the shirt dress with a matching £370 clutch bag by Emmy London and £160 wedge heels by Spanish brand Castañer
Pictured: In the Bahamas, The Duke and Duchess Of Cambridge visit a rebuilt church after being destroyed by Hurricane Dorian 2019. This is their final stop on their Caribbean trip.
During their visit, on the final day of their Caribbean tour, they will hear first-hand what it was like to be on the island at the point the hurricane hit, and how people have come together to support each other during an incredibly difficult time
Prince William and Kate exchange handshakes with officials on the last leg in their Caribbean tour.
Prince William and Kate will travel to Abaco’s main island to learn about the impact of Hurricane Dorian in 2019
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge shake hands with officials as they arrive on Abaco’s main island for their final day
While the Cambridges hear of Hurricane Dorian’s destruction in 2019, they are an image of sadness and concentration.
To get a glimpse at the Cambridges in Great Abaco, large crowds had assembled long before their arrival.
Kate can be seen arriving at Daystar Evangelical Church, where she will learn about the destruction caused by Hurricane Dorian’s 185 mph winds.
As she visited the church at St. John’s on her final Caribbean day, The Duchess Of Cambridge looked elegant in this pastel pink midi dress.
Kate chose to keep her look minimalistic and worn minimal jewellery.
This is the Daystar Evangelical Church, which was damaged prior to Prince William’s arrival as Duke and Duchess.
Pictured is an officer from the Royal Bahamas Police Force standing guard in front of the Daystar Evangelical Church.
Yesterday, Prince William and Kate greeted crowds and local fishermen as they walked along Montagu Bay in New Providence on the final stop of their Caribbean tour to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
The first sailing regattas to take place in The Bahamas since the outbreak of the Covid pandemic were held in The Bahamas. Both William and Kate took part in the race in their own yachts.
In an Instagram video, they thanked their teams for being there and for the weather.
The duke won the race against Kate in the turbulent waters today, during the rain-affected regatta held in The Bahamas in celebration of the Queen’s Jubilee.
William set sail in an iconic Bahamian sloop named the Susan Chase, whilst Kate boarded a vessel named the Ants Nest II. Once she arrived onboard with her crew, she wore a white cap that featured the boat’s name in red written.
The boat was about five minutes quicker than the four others, one of which featured the Duchess Of Cambridge. However, she came last along with her crew.
William won the race for the second time in succession, beating his wife at the King’s Cup charity regatta on the Isle of Wight. This was the first race they had done together since 2019. Her boat was disqualified on that occasion.
Kate won the race in New Zealand’s ultra-competitive yacht racing in 2014.
Kate held a camera earlier. a newborn baby during a royal walkabout with Prince William as the couple continued their protest-hit tour of the Caribbean with a visit to a school in the Bahamas amid torrential downpours.
The Duke and Duchess showed their competitive sides during a boat race in which they won ‘a very special regatta in the Bahamas’. This was just before their last day in the Caribbean. Pictured: Kate despite it being rainy.
William set sail on a Bahamian sailing boat called the Susan Chase while Kate boarded an Ants Nest II vessel.
William and Kate wave to excited crowds as they attend The Bahamas Platinum Jubilee Sailing Regatta at Montagu Bay
The Duke and Duchess Of Cambridge, on their way from London to The Bahamas Platinum Jubilee Sailing Regatta in Montagu Bay
Safety first: Duchess and Duke of Cambridge wore life jackets yesterday during the regatta at the Bahamas.
Kate sported a white cap once she was on board with her crew mates that had the boat’s name on in red writing
Kate Middleton was in hysterics with crew members, as they all wore hats of the vessel’s name Ants Nest II
The royal couple greeted crowds who gathered in Parliament Square before attending the colourful Junkanoo Carnival in Nassau to celebrate the monarch’s Platinum Jubilee alongside the Prime Minister of the Bahamas, Philip Davis, and his wife Ann-Marie.
Kate is seen talking to a mom in the crowd, and holding her child’s head as she waits for the famous street parade. This featured colorful costumes and people dancing to the music.
It comes as Prince William signalled that any decision by Jamaica, Belize and The Bahamas to break away from the British monarchy and become republics will be supported with ‘pride and respect’ in a landmark speech alongside his wife Kate at a glittering state reception.
The future king stated yesterday that they would respect decisions made by countries like Jamaica, Belize and The Bahamas on their sixth day in the Caribbean. He was referring to protests and critical commentary about ‘colonialism” which were part of welcoming crowds.
After their first tour marking the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebration, the Cambridges were treated like stars by the public. However, politicians such as Andrew Holness used meetings to express in public that they would push to have Jamaica a republic through a referendum.
Critical royal observers led by by Meghan’s cheerleader-in-chief Omid Scobie and BBC royal correspondent Jonny Dymond made claims of a series of ‘tone deaf’ PR moments that smacked of ‘colonialism’ – leading to more social media criticism despite the couple’s warm welcome on the ground.
The Governor-General has hosted an event for The Bahamas’ royal couple. During the reception, they were able to mingle with community leaders and other notable persons from the many islands.
William stated that at the black-tie event hosted by Sir Cornelius Alvin Smith (Governor General of Bahamas), he was looking forward to next year’s celebration of fifty years of independence.
“And as Jamaica celebrates 60 years independence and Belize marks 40, last year I wanted to add this: We stand with you and we respect and support your choices about the future.
‘Relationships evolve. Friendship endures.’
The evening reception was attended by the Duke and Duchess Of Cambridge, who wore a Grace-Kelly gown which looked far more sophisticated than the afternoon’s wet sailing regatta.
As they met with prominent Bahamians in the areas of law, religion and business, the pair were greeted warmly.
William and Kate were given a model of an identical sailing boat to their earlier sailboat before leaving.
The roses on the dress of guest Mildred Murphy caught Kate’s eye and she complimented her. “She thought I looked great and she said that the roses on my dress were the flowers of England. She loved going to school today, and she said that the children were so nice and polite.